Hopefully the first of many....

We received our first report of a "Northern Irish" colour-ringed Mediterranean Gull at the weekend when Neal Warnock photographed 2XJ9 at Glenarm, Co. Antrim. 

This was one of four Med Gull chicks ringed on Blue Circle Island back in June (see here) as part of an all-Ireland project co-ordinated by Sean Kingston in Dublin.

Photo by Neal Warnock

It may not have moved far, just over 20km, but hopefully this is only the first of many re-sightings. Re-sightings which will allow us to build up a picture of where young Mediterranean Gulls born in Ireland move off to once they leave their natal colony.

Many thanks to Neal for the report and photo.