Black-headed Gull - White VX18

As I mentioned in the previous blog post, I was awaiting confirmation of another colour-ringed Black-headed Gull which was seen in Belfast last week.

This one, VX18, was reported by Aaron Devlin (via Kerry Leonard) who spotted the bird at Connswater Shopping Centre in east Belfast on 30 August 2013.

Photo by Aaron Devlin

A couple of emails later and we heard back from Kjeld Tommy Pedersen that he had ringed this bird as a pulli (chick) on 13 June this year on the island of Hirsholm, off north-east Denmark (what a fantastic looking place!). 

Hirsholm
Photo by Kjeld Tommy Pedersen

Red - Hirsholm, Denmark
Blue - Belfast, Northern Ireland

Kjeld very kindly sent through some photos of them working at the colony this summer and a short video, which is best enjoyed a full volume!

Since last winter, when I started recording where ringed black-headed gulls wintering in Northern Ireland originated, the list of countries has now grown to eleven.

Map showing where wintering BHG in NI were originally ringed

Thanks to Aaron and Kerry for reporting the bird and to Kjeld for allowing me to post his photos and video.