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The bulk of the world population breeds in coastal lagoons and salt marshes around
the Black Sea, and it wasn't until as recently as 1996 that the species successfully
bred in Ireland. Before that the nearest breeding grounds were in the Netherlands and
the south of England.
In my opinion this is perhaps the most handsome gull in the country, with adults
showing very pale bluish-grey upperwings with white tips - quite striking when the
birds are engaged in their characteristic fast yet effortless flight. Just as striking are
the bright crimson bill and dark red legs (dark brown in younger birds) and the
chunky, thick-set build. Adults begin to acquire their stunning jet-black hoods (and
jet-black they are, unlike the chocolate-brown hood of the so-called Black-headed
Gull) by around the beginning of March. This is part of their splendid summer
plumage, and it begins to fade again by about mid August to reveal the white head
and dusky black eye-mask that the species exhibits through the winter.
We are very lucky here in the South Dublin Branch: the most reliable place in the
country to see these wonderful birds is on the rocks at Scotsman's Bay in Sandycove,
just a stone's throw from the Kingston Hotel where we hold our monthly meetings.
The best viewing points are near the small gateway off Burdett Avenue, the far end of
the bay near the Martello Tower and at the old baths in Dún Laoghaire. Individuals
are also frequently seen flying near both of the piers. Although the highest counts are
generally in late July and early August, when up to 23 birds have been reported in the
area, high numbers are usually also present through the winter months. They are best
seen from late morning to mid afternoon, with the best views generally at low to
middle tide when they tend to loaf about on the rocks. It can take a bit of practice to
pick them out from the other gulls at first, but it is well worth your while getting to
know this magnificent bird.
- Robert Busby
Mediterranean Gull (in Latin 'Larus melanocephalus', which confusingly means
Black-headed Gull) has only established itself as part of the Irish avifauna within the
past few decades. Originally it was just a scarce winter visitor to our shores, but in
recent years numbers have grown and the species can now be found year-round.
Most of the Mediterranean Gulls that winter in Ireland depart in mid April for Holland
and begin to arrive back to these waters in early July. These birds tend to frequent
rocky points along the coast in a few parts of Ireland, and sometimes will join with
flocks of Black-headed Gulls to feed. Not all the birds leave us, though: in the past
few years breeding has been reported from gull colonies in the south of the country,
and it is to be hoped that this species will become steadily more widespread.
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