Mediterranean Gull

The Mediterranean gull occurs in Slovenia as a migrant and occasional overwintering bird. It is mainly found along the seashore. It is rare in mainland Slovenia and occurs mostly in autumn. It breeds in the NE of Slovenia.

In 2006, the Black-headed Gull nested in Slovenia for the first time. A nest with four eggs was found on 23 May 2006 in a colony of River Gulls Larus ridibundus and Common Terns Sterna hirundo on an island in Lake Ptuj.

It occurs in the Sečovlje salt pans throughout the year. It is a regular autumn flyer, but has also been seen sporadically in winter. It arrives in large numbers in July, and in September up to 500 or more birds roost in the salt pans. Many of them regularly visit the Sečovlje salt pans from Italy, Hungary and Serbia, as has been observed from the tagged birds. Individuals have also been observed during the breeding season, but nesting has not yet been confirmed here.

* In the Sečovlje salt pans it is considered a qualifying species in favourable conservation status.