The Cotswold Water Park

Black Headed Gull juvenile dispersal is now in full flow. Many of the juveniles fledged from CWP have now left, generally moving westwards. At the same time, juveniles from the Continent are also moving westwards, arriving in the UK. During the first week or so of August, colour ringed Black Headed Gulls from the Continent arrive in the CWP. For example, in August 2005,  French and German juvenile Black Headed Gulls were re-sighted at Keynes Country Park in the roost.

On the 6^th August 2006, a Dutch colour ringed Black Headed Gull was re-sighted at Keynes Country Park (CWP 32), feeding on the beach! This bird was ringed as a nestling on the 4^th June at Veluwemeer, Harderwijk, The Netherlands and was re-sighted there again on 28th June, before appearing the CWP on the 6th August.

Monitoring the gull roosts at this time of year is likely to produce something of interest; on the 6th August, Kenyes Country Park also produced a juvenile Mediterranean Gull amongst the flock of 300 or so birds in roost.

Please send information to Gareth Harris, Biodiversity Officer, Cotswold Water Park Society on 01285 861459 or email Gareth.harris@waterpark.org. Please also leave your own name and contact details so we can send you information on your re-sighted bird.

For more information on the colour ringing of Black Headed Gulls within the Cotswold Water Park please see this link.