01/08/2025 Oare Marshes Nature Reserve, Kent

Bonaparte's Gull: Working in Kent I was unable to resist a trip to Oare Marshes, the reserve is at it's best in spring and autumn when it is visited by migrant waterfowl but in summer it's famous for being a summer home to a Bonaparte’s gull. 

These diminutive gulls are rare, but annual visitor to the UK they are primarily seen during the autumn and winter months. You're be forgiven to think that they are named after Napoleon Bonaparte, but they are actually named after Charles Lucien Bonaparte, a French ornithologist. 

Bonaparte's gulls  are the third smallest gull in the world and the only gull species that regularly nests in trees.

This is the 13th summer in a row that this individual has returned to Oare Marshes. originally the gull was found on the site back in May 2013 and has returned each year ever since. 

12/08/2018 Hoylake, Wirral

Bonaparte's Gull: What a brilliant "Brucie Bonus" as while en-oute to Parkgates hen harrier 2018 rally the small scares gull turned up off Hoylake. 

This is a good comparison image showing the Bonaparte's as the slightly smaller of the two and the black-headed still with its fading summer plumage blackened head, the Bonaparte's also has a slim black bill and grey nape. 

The English name of the Bonaparte's Gull honors Charles Lucien Bonaparte, who made important contributions to American ornithology while an active member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia during the 1820s.

The last Wirral record was in 2004 & 1st ever Wirral record was in 1979 which also turned up in August.

29/07/2013 Heysham Power Station Outflow

Gulls: Another day off and another day of twitching and this time I filled up the tank and headed off to Lancashire.

I was hoping for the Bonaparte's Gull at the power station. Not being here before I was surprised how many gulls were hanging around the outflows.  

Mediterranean Gull: Although It was incredibly difficult to find the tiny Bony's Gull among hundreds of Black Headed and Herring Gulls it was not difficult to find Med Gulls. One thing  that was striking was the amount of Med Gulls which where here.

Bonaparte's Gull: After a few hours of scanning through the flocks of gulls both on the shore and feeding in the water, myself and a couple of other birders pin pointed the Bony's Gull.

I was hoping it would come closer however it didn't as this is the result of taking a picture of a tiny gull which is too far away, still great to see.