Yesterday, I received an email from Michael Brothers (Marine Science Center, Ponce Inlet, FL) who reported that the Appledore LBBG has returned to his usual overwintering site: Daytona Beach Shores, FL!
Photo by Michael Brothers
Michael said, “Last night, 12/27/2011, I found the Lesser Black-backed Gull, F05, back again for the 4th winter. It is amazing that this same bird has returned to this small stretch of beach every year since January 2009.”
As you may recall, F05 was first observed breeding on Appledore Island in 2007; he has returned to nest on Appledore every year since. We banded his Herring Gull mate in 2008, but he returned with a different female in 2009. In 2011, the gull banding team (including Bill Clark, Lois Clark, Justin Stilwell, David Bonter, Tracy Holmes, Luke DeFisher, and Sarah MacLean) banded his new mate, K75. They also placed bands on the chick of K75 and F05: F07.
Photo by Sarah MacLean
We’ve banded chicks of the LBBG almost every year since 2007, and are very interested to see whether one of them returns to nest on Appledore in the future. Thanks to Michael for another great observation!!
The Gulls Of Appledore 
I didn’t know they are rarely coming here to miami beach…
I just photographed by myself today two of them and didn’t even know they areven different of the other birds.. I just told my boyfriend that this bird have to be the male of all others because husband white/red beak as all others was much smaller with a black beak..