The first of the Great Black backed Gulls ringed on Looe Island that went to Spain has returned to the island. The bird was ringed on the 13th June 2010 and was seen in north west Spain in 2011 and 2012.

Assistant Warden Claire Lewis recorded the bird (which is identifiable by the numbered ring on its leg, L:AH1) back on Looe Island on 25th April 2014. Although cross channel movements are quite common this is thye first time a Black back has returned from Spain. It is also unusual that it has its tongue poking through a hole in its throat – the proverbial Columbian Necktie! This doesn’t appear to have affected its feeding ability since its been like that since 2011. The photo shows the bird on the first occasion it was seen in Spain.