Post-breeding BLACK-HEADED GULLS at Spade Oak

I paid a lunchtime visit to Little Marlow GP today. It was immediately obvious that there had been an influx of post breeding Black-headed Gulls, with at least 300 birds counted, including 9 juveniles. Amongst these, were 2 colour-ringed birds. The first was black P430, which is a returning bird. It was ringed as an adult on March 30th 2010 at Dumpiai dump, Klaipeda, Lithuania. This bird was first seen here on July 13th last year and the ringer was surprised last year that it had reached England that early – amazing regularity and site fidelity. The second was white 6EC, which looks to be a Danish bird – details awaited. Something to wile away the time when there is little else to look at – I’m sure there will be plenty of other CR ‘eastern’ BHG over the next few weeks.

The CR Common Tern I emailed about last week was present again – split CR blue over yellow, being a bird ringed as a chick here in 2009.

4 male Wigeon were also new in.

Adam Bassett