Just Like Buses...

Black-headed Gull - Orange 2ALT

You know the old saying - Your Waiting for a Bus, Then Two Arrive at the Same Time.

Well, that is exactly what has happened concerning the sighting of a Black-headed Gull belonging to Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study (2012 to 2018).  I now respond to sightings of Adam's Gulls.

Black-headed Gull -  2ALT , was ringed as a chick, on the 15th June 2015, at the WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre in County Down.  Since being ringed, the bird managed to pass the years by without being spotted until the 6th July 2025.  Timothy Kinch photographed the gull at Hilbre Island Nature Reserve on the Dee Estuary in Merseyside, England.  10 years and 21 days had slipped by since being ringed at this point.

Richard Smith, who informed me of Timothy's sighting, sent another email on the 4th August 2025.   2ALT  had been spotted again at Hilbre Island by Alan Hitchmough.  Alan has given me permission to post his sighting and graciously allowed me to add the photograph which he took.

The duration since being ringed, has risen to 10 years, 1 month and 20 days, and Hilbre Island is situated 206 kms / 128 miles (SE) from Castle Espie.  Always great to receive sightings of gulls after so many years, and hopefully a few more for this one in the future.

My thanks goes to both Timothy and Alan for their sightings and photos, also to Richard for contacting me.  Richard has his own Blog Post - Dee Estuary Birding (Read Here).

Black-headed Gull  -   2ALT   -  Hilbre Island, Dee Estuary, Merseyside, England  (04 Aug 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 15th June 2015, at the WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Co. Down)

(Photo Courtesy of Alan Hitchmough)

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