Fashion gull sports early 90s style hot pink wing tag
**if you have seen a tagged gull, please contact Dan Clark directly (info at bottom of post)! Comments posted here are welcome, but we do not run the tag program, so we aren’t the ones who need the details!**
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is engaged in ongoing research on gulls and their potential impacts on drinking water reservoirs in the state. Three species of gull, Ring-billed, Herring and Great Black-backed, are continually being captured, banded and released in an effort to learn more about the travels and activities of the birds when they are not visiting the Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs.
In addition to the standard issue leg bands used in most bird studies, DCR birds are also tagged with conspicuous, brightly colored wing tags. This enables even casual observers without binoculars to report sightings.
This past week, the SEANET blogger spotted a Ring-billed Gull with a fluorescent pink wing tag in Ogunquit, Maine. The bird was begging chips and sandwiches off of beach-goers. Upon contacting Dan Clark at DCR, the blogger learned that this bird was captured in Shrewsbury in central MA back in October. She’s an adult female, and had not been seen since her tagging. The blogger was thus quite gratified to help out by reporting this bird. Though thousands of people were on the beach with the tagged bird, no one had apparently bothered to find out where to report the tag. So never assume a bird you see has already been reported; all sightings are valuable!
SEANET Local Coordinator, Jamie Bogart of the Lloyd Center in Buzzard’s Bay, Massachusetts, has also seen a number of these tagged gulls and inquired with SEANET about where to report sightings. If you should encounter one of these gulls (and really anyone could given the great distances the birds often travel), please contact Dan Clark (Dan.Clark@state.ma.us) or Ken Mackenzie (Ken.Mackenzie@state.ma.us). And be sure to check out their study website where you can learn all about their work and even follow the movements of some of their satellite tagged birds.
SEANET Blog 
Seagull bright orange tags #635 in Holden, MA spotted. Banded foot seemed to not be okay, he seemed to be holding it up “folded in” as he stood on his good foot flat on the ground, otherwise seemed fine. He was with a bunch of others at the Dunkin Donuts parking lot.
Found this page after searching for ring-billed guls tagged, because I spotted four this week on the North Shore (green, red, & orange tags). Thanks- I sent email and will take camera along on subsequent beach walks!
But, their study page linked to above is 404. 😦
Thanks for the heads up! I will fix that link.
saw on 1/26/12 @1015am at oakland beach,r.i. a Ringed-billed gull with a pink wing tag #645. it also had pink tag on its leg.
Observed a seagull with bright red tags on wings #851 on our pier on the Saugus River at 31 Spencer Avenue, Saugus.
Hi Don! Thanks for the sighting! I will pass it along to the guys doing that tagging work. And by the way, my dad grew up in Saugus, so this is a bird particularly close to my heart!
I found # 839 in the Manton Avenue Stop and Shop parking lot in Providence RI. At first I thought he had stickers stuck on him. He seems fine and flew away with the rest of the gulls.
Great! Thanks Tracey! I have passed along your sighting to Dan Clark, who does this gull tagging work. Will let you know what I hear about your bird!
5 or more red tags in downtown framingham
Saw a gull with tag# 827 on a pond in East Patchogue NY 1/27/13
spotted seagull #250 in westerly ri
saw seagull orange tag on wings 953 febuary 3 2013 359 Crescent ave Chelsea Ma.
There are two tagged seagulls frequently in the Shaws supermarket parking lot in Wakefield, RI………..#924 and #836
SAW SEAGULL ORANGE TAG #938 ON BAYSIDE CASTLE ROAD NAHANT
MA 5:30 PM 3/1/13 PATROLLING SHORELINE FOR MEALS
Orange tag #923 Walmart parking lot, Waterford, CT 3:30PM 3/14/13
824 spotted 3/17/13 in wakefield RI at Staples parking lot. What kind of sea gull is it?
Contact Dan Clark for details. See post for contact info!
654 3/22/13 Charter Oak landing CT River, Hartford CT
I saw 1051 on Kings Beach in Swampscott MA. Right at the Lynn Swampscott townline.
That was at 1:30p on 3/24/13
I saw #1051 still hanging out at Kings Beach Swampscott on 3/30/13 1p
I saw two gulls at north pond in Brookfield MA # 1087 and 1077
Trish
Tag # 1066 lynn mass parkland ave
Saw A1058 on Winthrop Beach April 14 2013
Just a short while ago on lunch break today, 04-16-13, at 12:40 PM. I saw a wing-tagged gull (orange tags) at Perkins Pier here in Burlington, VT. I couldn’t make out the number. Will keep an eye out for him/her. I did a double take – first time I ever saw a gull with Redwing Blackbird-like epaulets. Strong winds today and the gull was trying to stand his ground in the gusts coming out of the south west off Lake Champlain. The tag is on both wings, over and under.
Do keep an eye out! Hopefully it’ll turn up again. If you do see it, email Dan Clark directly. His contact info is in the post.
4/29/13: Sometime last week I also saw a seagull with orange wing patches at Perkins Pier in Burlington, VT (shores of Lake Champlain). It was hovering in strong winds and I was unable to see the numbers. I, too, will keep an eye open to see if I can make out the number should it appear again.
It’s gotta come down sometime!
Yes… but where? I’ve been back to Perkins Pier several times and have not seen it. Maybe I need to toss out a handful of french fries (the unofficial state bird of Vermont is a seagull with a french fry in its beak!).
HA! They are majestic when feeding on french fries!
tag 90? York Beach Maine May5 2:20
Herring-gull, green tag #149 on Hull beach 5/19/13
Gull 669 was spotted up the Royal River in Yarmouth, Me.
Gull 669 was in Hannaford parking lot in Bangor, ME on 6/16/13.
#669 seen in parking lot of McDonalds in Bangor ME on 6/19
Tagged seagull. Orange tag number 718 on North Beach in Burlington Vermont on June 25, 2013
R73 spotted on Hampton Beach NH June 22, 2013
spotted a seagull with tag # 1061, sobeys parking lot, grand falls-Windsor, newfoundland,canada today at 7:30.. july 3rd>2013
saw this seagull today at charlottetown mall this am ,#, 1061 do you know where he was tagged TONY KELLY TKELLY2PEI.SYMPATICO.CA, THANKS
Saw a black backed gull at Brewster Beach in Wolfeboro, NH with orange tags but couldn’t read the numbers
Spotted a seagull with an orange tag labeled 1087 on Piper Pond in Abbott, Maine on July 2nd and 3rd. He appeared in good health and was having a great time hanging out on our swim float.
I’ve spotted seagull tagged with black leg tag 946 Salisbury Beach, Ma
Saw a gull with a orange /red tag on each Wing on Old Orchard Beach.
Saw gull #749 at Hampton Beach State Park in New Hampshire July 18,2013
appeared healthy looking for handouts
Just spotted a gull with tag number 1001 on old orchard beach , Maine. Saturday, July 27,.@ 1;30 pm
Gull #1071 in Plainfield, CT at the Quinebaug Valley Trout Hatchery.
30 July 2013 ; Time 20:15 Searsport, Maine Tag # 961
Correction to post :: Date should be 31 July 2013
669 tag number at Walmart Ellsworth maine
Seagull with tag #802 was spotted at pleasure bay in south Boston today. Appeared to be healthy eating bread from a beach patron with the other gulls. Many other tagged gulls have been spotted between pleasure bay and Carson beach in the past couple summers
Spotted a Herring Gull with PINK Wing Tag 991.Aug’03/13 at 1900 HRS ADT. It was foraging on our lawn following a heavy downpour. Located on the shores of the Richibucto River where it meets the Molus River. 15 Miles inland from the Northumberland Strait.
Just saw seagull walking around with two orange tags #1001 on both tags in front of Saunders Avenue in Old Orchard Beach, ME. August 6, 2013 around 2:45pm. Have photo of it.
I spotted a Herring Gull with red tag on both wings, on the golf course at Gowan Brae Bathurst N.B
Orange #938 is at short beach in nahant. and apparently likes eating turkey tips. Cannibalistic savage.
1001 spotted in OOB August 11, 2013
Vacationing in Old Orchard Beach, Maine from Florida. Spotted a gull with “orange” wings. Upon closer observation, we saw it had been tagged. Tag # 100. Would like to track it !
Spotted red tagged seagull in Old Orchard Beach going towards Scarborough, Maine. #1001 on Aug.23, 2013
Old Orchard Beach, Maine. August 28, 2013. Gull with orange tag #1001.
Looks healthy and with other gulls.
Just spotted Orange tag #669 at Walmart in Ellsworth Maine. Looks healthy and hanging with another seagull that is unmarked.
Spotted a seagull with bright orange tags on both wings at Old Orchard Beach on Sunday, September 1, 2013. The number on the tags was 1001.
While at fort foster beach in kittery Maine we observed a seagull with a green tag on his leg that read k82.
Trade center pier in the seaport area in Boston, gull with green tag number 189
#1001 has been hanging out on the Old Orchard Beach/Pine Point Beach most of the summer. First saw him/her? on July 18 and saw him again today, September 23. Have seen him a few times in between hanging out with a larger group of gulls though seems to be slightly apart. Would his red tag cause him to be ostracized?
saw a gull with an orange tag # 870 in Cherryfield, Maine this morning. its doing good & ate some crackers
192 green tagged seen today in East Brunswick,NJ 08816 by the Raritan river at the landfill where thousands of seagulls come everyday. Do not know who needs this info perhaps you do.
Spotted a tagged seagull #197 green tags both wings. East Brunswick,NJ by Raritan river at landfill have pictures but can’t see numbers on tags.
Spotted gull with blue tag #149 along Nantasket Beach Hull Ma at 1400 on 10/02/13 at waters edge
saw number 1000 at Pine Point beach in Scarborough beach Maine. Seems healthy.
Two tagged seagulls seen in south plaza worcester mass both also have leg bracelets. Begging for food could not make out numbers.
Seen a sea gull with orange tags on both wings #68 @ Wendy’s parking lot in Suffolk Downs in Revere, Mass
I spotted a gull with an orange tag 705 at Shaws supermarket Millcreek Plaza in South Portland Maine.
3:30 pm
Seagull #669 was spotted in Ellsworth ME in the Global Beverage parking lot 10/25/13
I have pictures of a seagull that’s been hangin out at our work in newington nh. It’s tagged with a number on both wings and one leg.
I scene two today with green tags on Wollaston beach Quincy ma, only could see one of them close number was 114
I’m in Brooklyn Ct. I see a seagull with an orang tag on the left wing #1071 I hope I’m right on the number
saw ring billed gull in Montague PEI Canada with orange tag on each wing but did not observe any numbers. Bird also had band on each leg with left leg also having a wire running up it. Bird appeared to be favoring left leg. C.Birch
A465 spotted at mcdonalds in merrimack, nh
Adj to exit 11 rt 3/everett tpk. Bird in good condition and out competing his fellows for spare fries.
Call with any specific questions
603-424-7452
Julie
I saw about 10 red tagged gulls, Stop & Shop parking lot, Furlong Drive, Revere Mass 12/08/13
Green #137, Wollaston Beach, Quincy, MA, Christmas morning, December 25, 2013 at 11 am. I emailed the addresses in the blog. THANKS!
Orange tag #1057 on healthy gull at Oak Island North Carolina today at 2:40pm
Saw green tag 121 on the beach in hull, ma
12:40pm Jan 6, 2014
I saw a seagull tagged with 1040A in fall river mass. I’m honestly wondering if this is painful for them though..
It’s a fair question, and one we get a lot. I posted on it recently here: https://seanetters.wordpress.com/2013/12/03/tagging-birds-and-humane-concerns/ and the upshot is, it hurts similar to getting an ear piercing, and then doesn’t hurt once the tag is in place unless the bird somehow snags it on something and rips the skin. But that appears to be exceedingly rare.
Spotted seagull with number 701 orange tag in Southport NC
March 5 2014 2:00 sea gull tag A899 seen at manasquan inlet point pleasant beach side of inlet in New Jersey
I spotted seagull with orange tag on his wings on 04/17/14 on jersey city New Jersey near at the pathmark supermarket near medical center
I spotted seagull # 1087. Jersey City Medical Center… 3/17/2014 at 4:12pm
This morning I spotted a ring billed gull with what is suggested is an orange tag on its left wing. I am at Cape Traverse, in Prince Edward Island, Canada. I can supply a photo if desired.
May 12th 2014 Revere Beach ma.mid-afternoon.
Seagull spotted..with orange Tag #1064
Mostly an all white Gull..with gray wings..just an typical looking seagull.
1094 spotted on my lawn this morning. Kippens, Newfoundland Canada.
9/6/14 Black Rock Beach, Nahant. Orange left wing tag which was folded over but appeared to be “99”. Ring-bill, grey spots on head, grey body and wings and some black on its tail. Smaller than our Nahant gulls.
Thanks Ruthanne! I will forward to the team who who tagged that gull!
Spotted seagull tagged leg band, number 5X4 at Hampton Beach,NH.
I spotted this seagull at the date of 8/30/14 with the Leg band number 5X4 at Hampton Beach,NH.
Thanks! I will pass it along to the gull database folks, and they should be emailing you with some details on that bird’s history. Thanks for the sighting!
Saw seagull #1034 on the Dyer River bridge in Sheepscot, Newcastle, Maine on 9/13/14 at 11:30.
Spotted an old friend about two weeks ago at Old Orchard Beach, ME…#1001. Saw him/her? quite a few times last summer and was glad to see that he is still around. Seemed very frisky, washing in the surf. Tags were a little worse for wear, but still clearly visible.
Spotted # 1061 again, a year and a half since I last saw him in the charlottetown mall parking lot, tags are getting worn curling inwards,
#1056 Sandy Neck Barnstable Cape Cod… I have Photos if anybody is interested? Top tag worn bottom tag intact
We found a dead seagull on the beach in Portland maine, it had a red zip tie through it nose holes. What does that mean….I thought they tagged a bird on its wing or leg. Did this cause the gulls death? ?
Thank you for the comment Kristi! the beak is one of the locations our volunteers tag–it’s legs, wings, and then through the nostrils. It was most definitely applied post-mortem and did not cause the death! Thank you again, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any future questions!
Green tag 130 . At south bay plazza in Boston ma seemed fine.
Spotted and eagle with an bracelet. MD66393. Took pictures too. Super friendly. Came up to the balcony and watched us eat. Gave him aome of ouf food. Came out od nowhere…..really cool. Stayed withbus for about minutes.
We live in Vancouver, BC tag came from Maryland!
Very cool! Have you reported it to the US Federal Banding Lab? (report band.gov) They should be able to give you the backstory on that bird. Nice sighting!
spotted gull 89A at Robins Donut parking lot in Bay Roberts N.L.
Hi Carl! I have passed along the sighting to a couple researchers who may know whose project that is. You will receive an email from them if they know. Thanks for the report!
Saw a large turquoise tag – bird #145 at Fish Beach on Monhegan Island in Maine. He/she came by to share my sandwich on July 15th.
How cozy! What fine dining companions they are. I am passing this sighting along to the folks who run that project. Hopefully you will hear back from them!
Spotted tagged seagull on Hampton Beach. Green tag on leg L52
Spotted a tagged seagull on a mall parking lot in Bay Roberts Newfoundland Canada. blue leg band with the number 89A. and an aluminum band on the other leg.
Hi Alice! That band is not part of one the projects we monitor, but you can definitely report it to the USGS banding lab if you haven’t already. They are at: https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/bblretrv/#Introduction
Thank you!
Spotted seagull with leg and #5×4 on 8/13/15 at Hampton Beach NH.
seagull U44 spotted at Hampton Beach at 12:30p 8/20/15 green tag on leg
We saw a seagull with a green tag on its leg #M16 at Pikes Beach in Westhampton NY on 8/30/15
Spotted a tagged seagull on beach in Plymouth MA green leg band with the number Y86. and an aluminum band on the other leg.09/03/15
Green wing tag seagull #210 Carson Beach, South Boston, MA.
Spotted a tagged seagull in Wildwood, NJ. Right leg, green band, U74. Left leg had aluminum tag, no clue as to information. 09/18/15.
saw one on Boston Street parking lot in Lynn, MA. Didn’t see the number but it had yellow tags on it. Never seen one before. 11/24/15
spotted a tagged seagull here in Canada, ( northern Vancouver Island)
I spotted a two tagged seagull here on NORTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND
CANADA…
I saw green tags on a seagull in a Hannaford parking lot in Rockland, Maine. Unfortunately wasn’t close enough to read the numbers.
Saw a gull with Green band (T39) at Hampton Beach, NH 7/06/16.
You’ll be hearing from the banding project very soon, Denise!
We just saw a Herring Gull in Allston, Mass on 7/10/16 with two Mallard Green colored wing tags (one on each wing) and the number 210 on each tag. I’m very curious about this Gull project and this Gull. I help keep tabs on our local Peregrine falcons here in Allston for my friend Dr Tom French at MassWildlife. I have been lucky enough to attend three bandings. It’s always nice when one of the birds we banded shows up on the radar somewhere. 🙂
Allston, Mass 7/10/16 We just saw a herring Gull with two Mallard green Wing tags. Each Tag had the number 210 on it.
Bird L52 just tried to steal our bag of taffy!! Put him in a time out!!!