Germany to Senegal Via Shawell

On July 24th 2013 I spotted a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Shawell with an orange ring and the code PB4.T. It had been ringed at Rainham Tip, Greater London on August 29th 2009. Late spring records from Helgoland, Germany suggest it breeds in that area.

In January this year John Wright from Rutland visited Senegal searching for Ospreys from the Rutland Water Osprey Project. As well as finding lots of Ospreys he also saw quite a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Amongst them, you've guessed it, was PB4.T. Quite a coincidence really and the saying 'it's a  small world' fits these sightings well.

This is the furthest south a LBB Gull recorded in Leicestershire & Rutland has migrated.

John saw PB4.T at Tiougoune, Senegal, which is between Dakar and Saint Louis.

Thanks to John for allowing me to show you his splendid illustration.

Lesser Black-backed Gull PB4.T (illustration by John Wright)

Sightings so far for PB4.T