And today a Norwegian cr Lesser Black-backed Gull

A Norwegian-ringed Lesser Black-backed Gull on Chouet Beach early this morning was the undisputed highlight of the day. Black J3H4 was ringed as a chick on 11 July 2007 on the island of Hummerholmen, Lindesnes, Vest-Agder, Norway (Thomas Bentsen). Interestingly this bird is of the race Larus fuscus intermedius (which is scarce on passage in the Channel Islands).  This is only my 2nd Norwegian-ringed Lesser Black-backed Gull seen in Guernsey (the other being on 28 March 2009).

LBBG Black J3H4 Chouet Beach - PKV

There was also a red ringed (yellow code) 2nd summer Lesser Black-backed Gull on Chouet this morning, but it was very distant in windy conditions, and unfortunately the gull flock was disturbed by two dogs before I could secure the code. With Chouet landfill closed today (Sunday) the gulls did not settle in the area and dispersed widely. I could not relocate the gull.

Our efforts to ring a few gulls in our garden were also thwarted by a combination of factors today.

Paul Hillion, on of the best nature photographers in Guernsey, sent me a very nice photo today of locally ringed Herring Gull White 4.PP6 at La Claire Mare Nature Reserve on Guernsey's west coast.

Herring Gull 4.PP6 La Claire Mare 24 April 10 - Paul Hillion

White 4.PP6 - Paul Hillion