Unique among Arctic-breeding gulls, Sabine’s has a dark head and black markings on the outer wings. Photo: Steve Young (www.birdsonfilm.com)

Sabine’s Gulls breed in Arctic Siberia, Alaska, Canada and Greenland, with a few pairs irregularly in Svalbard (Spitzbergen). The Siberian and Alaskan populations migrate down into the Pacific and to wintering areas off the coasts of Peru and Chile, whereas birds from Canada and Greenland fly southeastward across the Atlantic towards the coasts of Spain and Portugal, often congregating in the Bay of Biscay area. They then move down the West African coast to winter off Namibia and South Africa in the food-rich Benguela upwelling.

The adults are the first to leave their breeding grounds, in late July and August, followed by the juveniles a few weeks later. The first birds are usually seen off our coast in the latter half of August, with a peak in September. These are likely to be adults, with juveniles arriving in October or later. The gulls seen are usually singles, but occasionally there are obvious movements close to shore. Out at sea they can be encountered in flocks, especially in the Bay of Biscay and in their winter quarters.

Juveniles have very distinctive wing patterns. Photo: Steve Young (www.birdsonfilm.com)

Having spent the winter at sea, most adults leave their wintering area by the end of April, with the main northward movement passing West Africa in the first half of May. While immature birds probably remain in the South Atlantic in their first year, adults arrive on their breeding grounds in Greenland and eastern Canada from about June.

An average of about 120 Sabine’s Gulls are seen in Britain each year, but 1997 was exceptional: 400 were reported in Britain and 900 in Ireland, including an incredible 347 at Brandon Head, Ireland, on 28 August! 1987 was also a notable year, with more than 700 recorded. In a huge influx in October, following the great storm in the middle of that month, at least 200 birds were seen on reservoirs and gravel pits across central and southern England, and flocks of birds were seen flying west, including 59 past Hengistbury Head, Dorset.

Elsewhere in Europe there have been occasional similar influxes, with 850 seen off the west coast of France on 7 September 1995, and in autumn 1997 there were 440 in Denmark and 220 in The Netherlands.

Sabine's Gulls found at reservoirs or gravel pits have probably been blown inland by strong westerly winds. Photo: Steve Young (www.birdsonfilm.com)

Sabine’s Gull is an anomaly among gulls, being placed in the genus Larus by some authorities and as the only species in the genus Xema by others. Unlike other gulls, it moults completely in spring before migrating north, and adults retain their smart heads until much later in autumn than do other hooded gulls. Much like terns, it remains at sea outside the breeding season.

Its relationship to other gulls is interesting too. Some authorities have linked it with the Swallow-tailed Gull of the Galápagos, but the most recent DNA analysis suggests that the Ivory Gull is its nearest relative. Among Arctic breeders, it is the only one with a black head and other pigmented feathers; others, which remain in the Arctic region all year, have lost varying amounts of pigment and all are either pale (Glaucous Gull) or totally white (Ivory Gull). This anomaly is perhaps due to the migratory nature of Sabine’s.

Once also known as Fork-tailed Gull, the species was named after Edward Sabine, a member of John Ross’s Arctic expedition looking for the North-west Passage. In 1818 he discovered these gulls breeding among Arctic Terns on what were to be called the Sabine Islands, off Greenland. Amazingly, the next instance of a Sabine’s Gull being seen was one killed at Belfast Lough in September 1822.

And then there is the tricky question of how to say the name of this gull. Is it Say-bine, Sa-bine, Sa-bin, or even Sa-been? There appears to be no way to know exactly how Edward Sabine pronounced his surname – but he was born in Dublin, if that helps!

How to find

To stand a good chance of seeing a Sabine’s Gull, head for the south-west coast when the winds are blowing from the west or northwest, preferably with a depression heading across the Atlantic towards our shores. Strong onshore winds off the tip of Cornwall or in the west of Ireland are often productive. If there is a real storm from the west, it is worth checking inland reservoirs and lakes in case one has been blown in.

It is more difficult to predict when they might be seen along the east coast. A depression moving west and into the top of the North Sea might drag some Sabine’s Gulls with it, and if it is followed by northerly to north-easterly winds there is a chance of seeing one. The occasional North Sea pelagic trips organised out of North Shields, on Tyneside, have recorded Sabine’s Gull in the past, and the RSPB’s September cruises off Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire, may encounter one.

Where to watch

The sites listed below regularly record Sabine’s Gulls, but observations are dependent on weather conditions.

England

• East Yorkshire: Flamborough Head (TA 254706)
• Cheshire: New Brighton (SJ 310945)
• Norfolk: Sheringham (TG 159435)
• Cornwall: Pendeen (SW 378359)
• Cornwall: St Ives (SW 520410)
• Isles of Scilly: St Mary’s pelagic (SV 902107)

Wales

• Anglesey: Point Lynas (SH 479934)
• Pembrokeshire: Strumble Head (SM 894411)

Scotland

• Outer Hebrides: Rubha Ardvule, South Uist (NF 710300)
• Argyll: Uisaed Point (NR 627208)
• Fife: Fife Ness (NO 631099)

Ireland

• Co Clare: Bridges of Ross (Q 730500)
• Co Kerry: Brandon Point (Q 522175)
• Co Cork: Galley Head (W 337317)