Another day, another BHG colony!

Following my visit to RSPB Blue Circle Island last Tuesday, on Wednesday evening I visited Mew Island with a group of ringers from Copeland Bird Observatory to ring some more pulli Black-headed Gulls.

The evening was perfect conditions, with calm seas, blue skies and not too hot.

Stopping off on Old Lighthouse Island on the way to pick up a couple of extra ringers (and more importantly, a supply of E rings!), we got fantastic views of the 700-750 pairs of Arctic Terns which I mentioned in my post earlier this month.

Photo by Neville McKee

Upon arriving on Mew, it was obvious that, like Blue Circle Island the previous evening, the breeding status of BHG ranged from fully fledged young to recently hatched young or even eggs which are yet to hatch.

Photo by Neville McKee

Photo by Neville McKee

Arctic Terns, far left, Black-headed Gulls left, Common Gulls right
& Lesser Black-backed Gull behind photographer.

Photo by Neville McKee

We caught and ringed 1 Common Gull and 81 Black-headed Gull, of which 26 were also large enough to be colour-ringed. This takes the total number of Black-headed Gulls now marked as part of the project over the ton, to 105, so I'm very happy!

Keeping note of ring details!
Photo by Neville McKee

Photo by Neville McKee

Photo by Neville McKee

Heading back to Donaghadee, we were treated to an absolutely beautiful sunset and some amazing Manx Shearwater fly-bys - a fantastic end to great evening.

Photo by Neville McKee