The first sighting away from St Georges Island of one of this years Great Black back chicks was reported yesterday by Paul Veron in Guernsey. He also saw one of last years birds L:AJ8  on Perelle Beach, Guernsey, where it had been seen last October and January. Where has it spent the summer?

Photo Paul Veron

We have now had several sightings from the Channel Islands and I saw one of his Lesser Black backs on St Georges Island on 5 August so there appears to be a transfer of birds across the Channel. The final total for this seasons Gull ringing was 94  birds of which 91 were colour ringed. Check out the right legs of all juvenile and 1st year Great Black – backs – I’ve heard there’s one outside Capt Jaspers in Plymouth if anyone cares to get a pasty!