Monday 18 July 2011

100th Gull Colour Ringed

We have been catching large gulls this summer around Aberdeen for a new colour ringing project, and caught our 100th bird today. This particular bird had all ready been metal ringed, by myself last summer. Like the majority of the birds we've ringed it was an adult Herring Gull. We have also ringed four adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and are now starting to catch this years juveniles as they come off the roofs. Most of the gulls have been caught by hand around the city, although some have also been clap netted in our gardens. Gulls are easisest to catch at this time of year, with juveniles fully grown yet still reliant on their parents for food, meaning adult gulls are more confident and reckless than usual. Hopefully we will ring a lot more before summer is over. Please check the gulls you see around Aberdeen for rings.

Euan