Rufford Gulls - Two Visits

 So far this month, I've had a couple of visits to Rufford, to look at the gulls (1st and 17th).

My visit on the 1st was quite quiet, with c.70 Black-headed Gulls present. Ringed birds were: 280B, 202C, 270C, 298C, 208H and 225H. 13 Goosanders (10 males and 3 females), 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 male Pochard were also seen.

280B

Yesterday's visit was also quite quiet, with c.50 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Herring Gull and 1 Common Gull seen. Ringed birds were: 295A, 280B, 207C, 255C, 258C, 273C, 298C, 200H, 208H, a new bird 224H and 225H.

224H

As you can see, this photo of 224H is quite different from my "normal" ones. It was a rushed shot, that I got just before the bird flew off, but I've kept it, as it looks quite atmospheric! 224H is obviously a 1st winter/2nd calendar year bird (born in 2025), and this is my first sighting since it was ringed at the end of last year. Here's a more "traditional" shot of the same bird.

224H again

Rufford-17th January 2026

Last weekend, I had a couple of hours at Rufford. The ice had all gone, and there were fewer Black-headed Gulls (c.150),  but I still managed to see 14 ringed birds, including the Lithuanian- ringed P519 (now back for at least its 8th winter (first record was in January 2018), and first ringed, as an adult, in April 2010, so born, at the latest in 2008).

P519

Other birds seen were: 258A, 280B, 202C, 207C, 209C, 215C, 258C, 270C, 298C, 200H, 208H, 225H and 2V16.

3 new  birds were added to the Year List too: Red-legged Partridge (78), Song Thrush (79) and Marsh Tit (80).

Rufford - 3rd January 2026

Back at the start of the year, when we'd had a couple of days of very cold weather, I went across to Rufford, for my first visit of the year. I love going when there is a lot of ice (c.80%), as this means many of the ringed gulls are sat on the ice, and therefore, their rings can be more easily read. as a result, on my first visit of the year, I saw 28 ringed birds!

The birds seen were: 206A (3rd sighting this winter), 258A (7th sighting this winter) , 273A (4th sighting this winter), 284A (2nd sighting this winter ), 208B (3rd sighting this winter), 272B (3rd sighting this winter), 274B (my 1st sighting since ringing in November 2022), 280B (3rd sighting this winter ), 293B (1st sighting since November 2024), 202C (5th sighting this winter), 207C (12th sighting this winter), 209C (1st sighting since March 2023), 215C (2nd sighting this winter), 258C (9th sighting this winter ), 273C (4th sighting this winter), 298C (5th sighting this winter), 207F (1st sighting this winter), 221F (7th sighting this winter), 222F (1st sighting since ringing on 2nd November 2024), 230F (1st sighting since March 2025), 2V05 (2nd sighting this winter), 2V16 (5th sighting this winter), 200H (3rd sighting this winter), 208H (2nd sighting this winter ), 209H (1st sighting this winter), 225H (3rd sighting this winter), 230H (1st sighting since ringing in Dec 2025) and 233H (1st sighting since ringing in Dec 2025).

274B

293B

209C

In addition to these birds, I also spotted a Swedish metal-ringed bird. Annoyingly, I only managed to see six of the seven numbers (_449368!!!)

Rufford - 6th December 2025

Last Saturday, I had a quick, 1 hour session at Rufford recording 17 of "our" darvic-ringed Black-headed Gulls.

Gulls seen were: 206A (my first sighting since March 2025), 295A (2nd sighting this winter), 272B (first sighting since January 2025), 280B (2nd sighting this winter), 202C (2nd sighting this winter), 207C (ninth sighting this winter), 215C (first sighting since March 2024 - full hood already!!), 270C (third sighting this winter), 298C (second sighting this winter), 215F (third sighting this winter), 221F (fifth sighting this winter), 234F (seventh sighting this winter), 259F (3rd sighting this winter), 292F (first sighting since February 2025), 200H (my first sighting, since ringing on 15th November 2025), 215H (first sighting, since ringing on 22nd November 2025) and 225H (first sighting since being ringed that morning). 

215C

200H

215H

225H

Also seen were: 5 Mute Swans (Broken Beak, his partner and 3 cygnets) and 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Rufford - 15th November 2025

 Yesterday, I had a couple of hours at Rufford. It had been raining very heavily for the previous twenty four hours (!), and the water levels were very high. There were only about 50 Black-headed Gulls there, but I did manage to see 8 ringed birds.

The "best" bird was 223A, a bird that was originally ringed, as an adult, on 13th February 2019. Since then, it has been recorded just 4 times in the UK, and once in Denmark, on 19th October 2025. My sighting was my first, since February 2022 (!), so was long overdue. Welcome back!

223A

Other birds seen for the first time this winter were: 280B (ringed by me, as an adult, in November 2022, and last recorded on 15th February 2025) and 298C (ringed, as a 2nd calendar year bird, on 4th February 2024 and last seen on 2nd March 2025). 

280B

298C

The other birds seen were: 207C (8th time since July), 270C (2nd sighting this winter), 221F (4th sighting this winter), 234F (6th sighting this winter) and 259F (2nd sighting, since being ringed on 18th October 2025).

"Broken Beak" was also on the water, along with his partner and 3 well grown cygnets. Other birds seen were: Grey Wagtail (1 adult an 1 juvenile), 1 Buzzard (overhead) and  a single "redhead" Goosander. 

Broken Beak and family

Rufford Update - 15th February 2025

 I've just had a look at the blog, and realised that I haven't posted this month yet!! During this time, I've had a couple of visits to Rufford (both cold and rainy!), adding a few new Black-headed Gulls to the list.

The first visit, on 8th February, saw the following birds reported: 273A, 295A, 202C, 207C, 258C, 264C, 273C, 298C, 221F, 234F and 2V16 (my first sighting, about 2 hours after ringing!)

2V16

On yesterday's visit, 15th February, I saw: 258A, 273A, 293A, 295A, 280B, 202C, 207C, 255C (the first ever sighting, since being ringed, as a 1st year bird, in November 2023!), 264C, 207F, 221F, 234F, 292F and Lithuanian-ringed bird, P519 (first sighting since 4th January).

255C

292F

P519

Rufford - 18th January 2025

 Yesterday morning, I had a couple of hours at Rufford, before grandparenting duties took over. Whilst there, I managed to add 3 new Year Ticks, as well as spending some time checking the gulls.

I arrived on site at 8am, and parked up in the main car park. Within about 10 minutes, 4 Hawfinch (112) flew into the trees and posed beautifully. Unfortunately, the light was terrible, but I still managed a decent enough record shot.

Hawfinch

I then set off around the lake, where I added Stock Dove (113) and Marsh Tit (114) to this year's list. The Marsh Tit (s) were seen around the feeding station, and I managed to get a shot, showing the distinctive  white spot, on the lower mandible.

Marsh Tit

Carrying on to my usual spot, by the main lake, I was surprised to see c.100 Black-headed Gulls hanging around, waiting for breakfast, along with 6 Lesser Black-backs and a couple of Common Gulls. The Group ran out of green darvic rings a few weeks ago, so yellow ones have been used. Two of these birds were spotted: 2V00 and 2V05.

2V00

2V05

Other ringed birds were: 293A, 280B, 207C, 258C, 264C, 273C, 207F, 219F, 221F, 234F and 276F.

3 Mute Swans (Broken Beak, his partner and 1 juvenile), Kingfisher (heard), Siskins and 10 Goosander (7 males and 3 females), were also  recorded.

Rufford - JN075 returns!!

 I had my first 2025 visit to Rufford yesterday afternoon, and managed to see 18 of "our" Black-headed Gulls, along with two old favourites: Lithuanian- ringed P519 and the Norwegian-ringed Common Gull, JN075.

P519 was, in fact, the first ringed gull I saw, and this sighting was only the second of this winter, and my first since 2nd November 2024.

P519

Common Gull JN075 didn't appear until later in the afternoon, but it did come and pose very nicely for photos. This bird, first ringed, as a juvenile, in August 2020, on the outskirts of Oslo, and first recorded at Rufford in January 2022, was last seen by me at Rufford in February 2023, so it was great to see it again!

JN075

Green-ringed gulls seen were: 259A, 273A, 295A, 272B, 280B, 202C, 207C, 245C, 258C, 264C, 269C (new one for me, ringed in December 2023, and the first re-sighting since!), 270C, 298C, 217F, 234F, 239F, 255F and 276F. 

Other birds seen were: Lesser Black-backed Gull (c.47), Herring Gull (5), Common Gull (c.80!!), Goosander (12; 9 males and 3 females), Mute Swan (5; Broken Beak, female and 3 juveniles), 4 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag Geese, and, best of all, an overflying Raven, a site first for me.

Rufford and Attenborough - 28th December 2024

 This morning, Luke and I went across to Rufford to try and catch up with Hawfinch (202). Whilst there, we also had a quick check on the Black-headed Gulls, before driving down to Attenborough to catch up with a 1st winter male Scaup (203).

The Hawfinch "showed well" within a few minutes of our arrival at 8am, and we counted a maximum of 8, in the trees, around the main car park.

Afterwards, we popped down to the lake, where we spotted 273A, 208B, 280B, 207C, 264C, 255F and a new bird, 276F. 

276F

Our final stop was Attenborough GP, where we were searching for a Caspian Gull. Unfortunately, we didn't have any luck on this occasion, but we did pick up a Scaup and a Great White Egret.

Rufford Again - 23rd December 2024

 I was back at Rufford yesterday. Unfortunately, Black-headed Gull numbers were slightly down on my last visit (c150), but I still spotted 13 ringed birds, and, what is potentially a new species for this site, a Caspian Gull. 10 Goosander (6 males and 4 females) were also seen, as were a pair of Gadwall and 4 Teal.

Black-headed Gulls seen were: 258A, 273A, 293A, 295A, 280B, 202C, 207C, 258C, 264C, 298C, 223F, 234F and 261F.

The Caspian Gull landed briefly on the lake, and I managed 4 photos before it flew off.

Rufford - 14th December 2024

 Every time I visit Rufford, I seem to be  spotting more and more of "our" green-ringed Black-headed Gulls. Last week's visit, was no different, with no fewer than 24 birds, spotted, including one not seen for three years!!

Birds seen were: 206A, 259A, 273A, 295A, 298A (my first sighting since being ringed in 15th December 2021, but, annoyingly, no photo!), 208B (ringed in January 2022, and this was only the second sighting, last seen at Clumber, in March 2023), 265B (ringed on 5th November 2022. This was only the second sighting, having last been seen, at Center Parcs on 2nd December 2022. This was my first sighting at Rufford),  272B, 280B (ringed by me in November 2022, and a regular visitor ever since), 202C, 207C, 258C, 264C, 270C, 298C, 207F, 219F, 223F, 230F, 234F, 239F, 255F (my first sighting, ringed on 30th November 2024, as a 3, i.e. born this year), 261F and 262F (both fist sightings, and both also ringed on 30th November 2024, as 3s).

208B

265B

255F

261F

262F

In addition, to "our" gulls, there were also approximately 250 other Black-headed Gulls, 100 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 10 Herring Gulls, Common Gulls, 22 Canada Geese, 15 Greylag Geese, 17 Gadwall (my first record for the site?) and 7 Goosander (6m and 1fm).

Rufford Gulls - 24th November 2024

Storm Bert put pay to any ringing this weekend, so instead, I headed over to Rufford to check up on the gulls. I was there for just under two hours, and saw 16 ringed Black-headed Gulls.

Birds seen were: 273A , 293A, 280B (ringed by me, as an adult, in November 2022, and my first sighting since 20th January 2024), 207C, 264C, 270C, 273C, 298C (ringed in February 2024, as a 5, i.e. born in 2023, and my first siting this winter), 207F, 220F, 221F, 223F, 230F, 234F, 239F (a new bird) and 244F (a new bird).

239F (age 3, born this year)

244F (age 3)

Rufford Gulls - 20th January 2024

 Last weekend (20th), I went across to Rufford for a couple of hours. In total, I recorded 16 green-ringed Black-headed Gulls, and metal-ringed EL87245. 

Birds seen were: 246A, 258A, 273A, 293A, 295A, 297A, 254B, 272B, 280B, 202C, 207C, 245C, 258C, 264C, 273C and 275C.

273A and 280B

275C

Rufford - 8th January 2024

 I had my first visit of 2024 to Rufford on Sunday. There weren't a lot of Black-headed Gulls around (c.150), but I did see 13 of "our" green-ringed birds along with the Lithuanian-ringed bird, P519 and the British metal-ringed bird, EL87245.

Birds seen were: 258A, 273A, 295A, 254B (ringed by me on 22nd October 2022 and my first sighting since October 2023), 272B, 280B (ringed by me on 19th November 2022, and my 4th sighting this winter), 202C, 207C, 215C, 258C, 264C, 268C (ringed by me, as a 3, born in 2023, on 31st December 2023, as an adult, age 4) and 273C (ringed on 6th January 2024).

268C and 273C were the first sightings since being ringed.

268C

273C

As well as the gulls, I also spotted a very impressive 43 Goosander (27 female and 16 males).

Rufford - 28th December 2023

 On Thursday, I had my last visit of the year to Rufford CP to check the wintering Black-headed Gulls. There were about  200 present, and I managed to spot 13 ringed birds.

The ringed birds were: 273A, 293A, 295A, 272B, 280B, 202C, 207C, 215C, 245C, 262C, 264C, P519 and EL87245. All these birds are regulars at Rufford, but were good to see.

280B

Rufford - 2nd December 2023

 After my walk around Linacre last week, I had a quick (1 hour) visit to Rufford to see which gulls I could pick up. I only lasted one hour as it was 2 degrees, and half the lake was frozen over.

As I arrived I could see there were approximately 200 Black-headed Gulls present, along with 5 Common Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1 Herring Gull. Other birds seen were 2 Mute Swans (Broken Beak and a female), Tufted Duck, Mallards, and, most amazingly a fly-over Great White Egret - a new species for me at this site!

The ringed gulls seen were: 258A (3rd sighting this winter), 293A (8th sighting this winter), 295A (1st sighting since 12th March 2023), 297A (2nd sighting this winter), 280B (2nd sighting this winter) and 258C (my first sighting, since it was ringed, as a 1st winter bird - born this year - at Center Parcs on 1st December 2023).

295A

285C

Welcome Back P519!

 It's been a couple of weeks since my last visit to Rufford, and I'm very pleased to say that this time there were Black-headed Gulls, and rings to be seen!! In total, I saw 7 of "our" green-ringed gulls, P519, a Lithuanian bird ringed in April 2010, as an adult, and first seen here in January 2018, and a new Finnish metal-ringed bird ST340.623.

The green-ringed birds were: 258A, 273A (the first sighting since October 2022), 293A, 272B (the first sighting this winter), 280B (ringed by me in November 2022, as a 4, and the first sighting this winter), 202C (last seen on 12th March 2023) and 207C (third sighting this winter).

280B

The two other ringed birds were P519 - the first sighting since 5th February 2023, and the new Finnish-ringed bird, an adult.

P519

ST340.623

Other birds present today were: 2 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Cormorant, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 2 Goosander (1 male and 1 female), c.50 Canada Geese,(no rings) 6 Greylag Geese (no rigs) and 2 unringed Mute Swans (Broken Beak and a female bird).

"Broken Beak"

Rufford Gulls - 18th February 2023

 I had an hour at Rufford yesterday. It was 12 degrees and overcast and there were c.200 gulls present.

In the hour, I saw 14 of "our" green-ringed gulls, including 254B, which I ringed, at Center Parcs, on 22nd October 2022, as an adult bird. My sighting was the first since then.

254B

Other gulls seen were: 246A, 258A, 281A, 293A, 295A, 296A, 249B, 255B, 276B, 280B, 293B, 202C and 215C. 

In addition Danish-ringed V77K, Norwegian-ringed Common Gull JN075 and metal-ringed Black-headed Gull, EL87245 were also seen.

Several of the gulls were starting to get their breeding plumage, including 293B.

293B