Audouin's Gull

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Audouin's Gull in the UK

A very rare vagrant from the Mediterranean. The first British record was at Dungeness, Kent, from 5 to 7 May 2003. Seven more had followed by 2018: Kilnsea in East Yorkshire (2005), Dungeness again (2007 and 2014), Seaton in Devon (2007), the Lincolnshire coast (2008), Minsmere in Suffolk (2011) and Sheffield (2018). It was one of the world's rarest gulls in the 1960s, and its recovery in Spain is thought to explain the run of British records. It does not breed or winter here.

Where and when to see an Audouin's Gull

Past records are spread along the south and east coasts of England, with Dungeness in Kent holding three of the eight. Dates run from May to October, with May and August the top months. Birds have joined gull flocks on beaches, coastal lagoons and reserve scrapes, and one was found inland in Sheffield. Five of the eight were seen on one day only. Finds come from birders checking gull roosts, and news breaks on the bird news services.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Mediterranean coasts.
Diet: Sardines, anchovies.
Field note: Specialist coastal forager.

How to identify an Audouin's Gull

A little smaller and slimmer than a Herring Gull, with a long sloping forehead and long wings. Adults are very pale grey above, shading into the white of the neck. The bill is dark red with a black band and a yellow tip, and looks all dark at a distance. The eye is dark and the legs are dark grey-green. The wingtip is black with only tiny white spots. Young birds are brown with dark legs and take four years to reach adult plumage.

Call and song

Silent as a vagrant in Britain. At Mediterranean colonies it gives a hoarse, nasal braying, lower and weaker than a Herring Gull's. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• European Herring Gull: Herring Gull is bulkier with a yellow bill, a pale eye and pink legs.
• Yellow-legged Gull: Yellow-legged Gull has a darker grey back, bright yellow legs and a yellow bill with a red spot.
• Mediterranean Gull: Adult Mediterranean Gull is smaller with pure white wingtips, a brighter red bill and red legs.

Related guide Rare birds in the UK.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Audouin's Gull is an Epic tier bird, worth +20 points when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Mediterranean GullRare · Coastal lagoons
• Pallas's GullLegendary · Lakes
• Eleonora's FalconEpic · Mediterranean sea-cliffs
• Scops OwlEpic · Mediterranean (rare vagrant)
• Arctic TernUncommon · Northern coasts (summer)
• Black GuillemotUncommon · Rocky coasts; sheltered firths

Audouin's Gull: quick answers

Has an Audouin's Gull ever been seen in the UK?

Yes. Eight had been accepted in Britain by 2018, all in England. The first was at Dungeness in Kent in May 2003 and the most recent of those eight was in Sheffield in July 2018.

Where can I see an Audouin's Gull in the UK?

You cannot plan for one here. For a certain sighting go to the Spanish Mediterranean coast, the Balearic Islands or the Ebro Delta, where it is easy to find on beaches and in harbours. In Britain, Dungeness has the best track record.

What does an Audouin's Gull eat?

Mainly small fish such as sardines and anchovies, caught at the surface, often at night. Unlike most large gulls it has been a specialist fisher, though birds in Spain now also feed on fishing discards and in rice fields.

Kit that helps

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