We have now received news that the Med Gull yellow AKKN that we saw at Newport/Nevern Estuary last Friday is from the Elbe estuary west of Hamburg, Germany, 985km away from Newport.
There were record numbers of breeding birds there last summer, but this is the first
sighting of yellow AKKN. Ringing details in the summary provided below (click on it to enlarge).
The ringing team over there is keen to have sightings of ringed Med Gulls from Germany so it is worth looking out for them.
Starlings:
On our way home at dusk in recent days and this evening, we have failed to see any starlings gathering at/heading to the Slebech roost near the A40. It appears to us that they have probably gone, although we still need to do a more thorough check. It has been mild but even so starlings usually continue to roost here throughout February in most years. Is another roost being occupied now?