DUNKERQUE: READING OF COLOUR RINGS ON MEDITERRANEAN GULLS by Jean-Pierre Leys.
How finding the good spots?
- If coming from Belgium, Holland, Germany, take the motorway A16 (l'Européenne). When arriving at Dunkerque, take exit nr. 31. At the first traffic lights, turn left towards "Coudekerque-Branche centre" then follow direction "Dunkerque centre", afterwards direction " Pôle marine" and finally direction "Port est". You are at the spot A on map nr. 1.
- If coming from Great Britain or the Western France, take the motorway A16 (l'Européenne). When arriving at Dunkerque, take exit nr. 31. At the first traffic lights, turn left towards "Dunkerque". Then follow direction "Dunkerque centre", afterwards direction "Pôle marine"and finally direction "Port est". You are at the spot A on map nr. 1.
- If coming from the south of France, take the
motorway A25. Take the motorway A16 (l'Européenne) heading
for Ostende (Belgium). When arriving at Dunkerque, take exit nr.
31. At the first traffic lights, turn left towards "Dunkerque".
Then follow direction "Dunkerque centre", afterwards
direction "Pôle marine"and finally direction "Port
est". You are at the spot A on map nr. 1.
Readings of colour rings of Mediterranean Gulls are not frequent because of few individuals present in this sector (only 3 white-ringed Mediterranean Gulls have been spotted in Dunkirk from 1993 until 2001 : a very faithfull bird with 30 sightings, a second one with 4 sightings and a third bird with only one sighting). The increase of observations will certainly give better results. Ring readings can be made from your car, as birds can be quite easily approached on both places.
Actually, the observation period is situated
between August and February. The colour ringed Mediterranean Gulls
seem very faithful to this site and are often accompanied by Black-headed
Gulls. In order to optimize the chance of reading, it is preferable
to come on the spot at high tide or one to two hours before, as
the numbers of Larids are more important. When the wind is blowing
from the north or the east, the birds tend to gather on these
two spots.
NOTE A :
Darse n°1 (route du quai Freycinet
3): Larids are very often on the ground having at disposal some
small water puddle pools being used for cleaning. In the event
of disturbance, the closeby roofs wille used as refuges but the
reading remains possible.
NOTE B
Darse n°2 (route du Môle 2):
One of the best sites. This place is an old silt. Small water
pools are nearly always present, which make it possible to the
Larids to drink and to preen (the readings are often made at this
place). It is necessary to check the roofs in the neighbourhoods
which are useful in the event of disturbances.
NOTE C
Quai des Monitors (tug boats): Many Larids on
the parking. The entry channel of the fishing harbour explains
that. The birds indeed await the return of the fishing vessels,
the latter carrying out the cleaning of fish and rejecting waste.
NOTE D
Ecluse (= lock) TRYSTRAM (quai de Suez): In
the event of strong wind or many disturbances, the birds are protected
by a fence. The reading is less easy, the parking at this place
being risky. Use a tripod. The birds do not move.
NOTE A
Ecluse (= lock) CHARLES de GAULLE: Larids are
mainly present at high tide. The reading can be performed from
your car. On this place, it is preferable to use a tripod. A fence
separates you from the birds. From this place, you can cross the
lock and join the Port-ouest while going along the digue du Braek.
Afterwards, it will be easy for you to join the natural reserve
of Platier d' Oye (Oye-Plage very close to Calais) and drive towards
Boulogne-sur-Mer to go to in Le Portel.
CONCLUSIONS
Dunkerque is a site which deserves to be visited. It is certain that a more significant number readers will contribute to the increase the data for this sector. Other species station here and are also carrying rings. It will allow you to fill in your note book with some more observations.
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