National Rehabillitated Gull Project

Mike Bailey and I met again at Brent Lodge to metal and colour ring some soon to be released juvenile Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus). All the birds today have been brought in by members of the public and have been orphaned or fallen from their nests or their nests destroyed.

Herring Gulls are a species of conservation concern, listed as Red-listed due to significant population declines. Herring Gull populations have declined considerably, especially along the coast, with a more than 50% decrease noted between the 1969-70 census and the Seabird 2000 survey (1998-2002).

The Herring Gull feeds mainly on marine vertebrates and invertebrates, with Green Shore Crab being a particular favourite. It is an opportunist, however, and will eat a wide variety of food and can be found feeding in large congregations at refuse dumps, taking advantage of the food we throw away.

Typical life expectancy of bird reaching breeding age is 12 years with breeding typically at 4 years.

These birds have been colour ringed as part of a National Project run by the BTO and the British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council. Birds included in the project are orphaned and rehabilitated Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls released by accredited rehabilitation centres.

The colour rings are yellow writing on a blue background. All rings have a 3 letter code (see below).

We would be delighted if anyone seeing these rings could report them here: https://app.bto.org/euring/lang/pages/rings.jsp

Young Herring Gulls

Colour ringed Herring Gulls