Mediterranean Gull (often
referred to simply as ‘Med Gull’) is a species which has undergone a dramatic
and well documented expansion across Europe. They were once found breeding only
around the Mediterranean regions of France, Italy, Greece and also along coast
of the Black Sea. In winter they would disperse over the Mediterranean Sea and
out into the Iberian Atlantic. In recent decades they began forming new
breeding colonies in northern continental Europe. Instead of an expected
southerly migration after breeding, these pioneering gulls now fly northwest to
Ireland and Britain!
Observations of birds fitted with colour rings has shown that Mediterranean
Gulls found in Ireland largely originate from breeding colonies on
the near continent (France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Denmark). The
number of post-breeding Mediterranean Gulls found in Ireland begins to build at
well-known staging sites such as South Dublin Bay and Cork Harbour from
June onward with peak counts often recorded from late July to mid
August.
Colour-ringed Med Gull © Conn O'Brien
They are now
considered a regular but uncommon bird in Ireland, present throughout the
winter around harbours, rocky coasts, estuaries and amenity grassland/sports
pitches (where they feed on invertebrates) until they leave for their continental
nesting sites in March/April. They are still a scarce bird in the west and
north however, seemingly favouring the somewhat drier and warmer climes of
Leinster and Munster. Their expansion has continued across Europe and
Mediterranean Gulls now breed in small numbers in Ireland (c.20 pairs) since
1995, mostly in Wexford and Antrim.
The number of
Mediterranean Gulls recorded at post-breeding staging sites in Ireland has been
steadily increasing over the past few years with 100+ birds to be expected at
favoured locations in high summer. A recent count at Sandymount Strand, Co.
Dublin revealed 257 ‘Med Gulls’ present at the evening roost on 12th
July.
Juvenile Med Gull © Stephen Lawlor
As such, a coordinated
count of Mediterranean Gulls at evening roost sites in Ireland has been
organised for Monday 27th July (East Coast focus) and Tuesday 4th
August (South Coast focus). We would ask waterbird counters, birders and
interested members of the public to go out and check their local gull roost on
those evenings and report back with details of any Mediterranean Gulls they find
(see details below).
The use of two dates
gives a chance for optimal count conditions at sites both in the east and the
south, but coordinated counts from both regions on both dates are encouraged.
Date: Monday 27th July (East
Coast focus)
Start: 20:30
Finish: Dusk
Sunset: 21:30
Evening High Tide: 3.5m @ 21:19 (Dublin - North
Wall)
Evening Low Tide:
1.2m @ 21:11 (Cobh)
Date: Tuesday 4th
August (South Coast focus)
Start: 20:15
Finish: Dusk
Sunset: 21:15
Evening High Tide: 4.2m @ 21:22 (Cobh)
Evening Low Tide: 0.6m
@ 20:58 (Dublin – North Wall)
The following
information is requested:
- Number of birds present
- Age of birds present (adult / 2nd-summer /
1st-summer / juvenile)
- Presence and details of any colour ringed
birds
- Latest time (closest to dusk) when birds are
recorded
- Direction of travel by birds to/from survey
site
- Behaviour (e.g. roosting, feeding)
The last three pieces of information (especially times seen) will be useful in ascertaining whether there is any movement between sites, overlap in counts etc.
All records can be submitted to Niall Keogh by e-mail nkeogh@birdwatchireland.ie
An indication of who
is covering which sites would be desirable before the count dates so as to
allocate effort if needs be so please get in touch if you are planning on
taking part.
