Over 400 Slender-billed Gull chicks ringed in the Hyères salt pans

Organized annually, the ringing of Slender-billed Gull chicks plays a key role in monitoring this rare and endangered species in France.

More than 400 chicks ringed

At the end of June, 403 Slender-billed Gull chicks (Larus genei) were ringed in the salt pans of Hyères. Owned by the Conservatoire du Littoral and managed by Toulon Métropole, this site hosts one of the few breeding colonies of Slender-billed Gulls in France. The activity was carried out by the Tour du Valat, LPO PACA, and the Biodiversity and Salins d’Hyères services of the Toulon Provence Méditerranée (TPM).

Closely tied to brackish wetlands, the Slender-billed Gull is classified as « endangered » in France, where only about 800 breeding pairs remain—mostly in regions like Camargue, Aude, Hérault, and Var. The species is mainly threatened by the loss of nesting habitat and competition with other gulls and terns. However, thanks to the creation of suitable nesting islets in the Mediterranean, its population has been increasing across Europe for several years.

The Research institute for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands (Tour du Valat) has been conducting regular monitoring of the species since 1997. Ringing the chicks will make it possible to track their movements throughout the Mediterranean basin once they take flight.

About the Slender-billed Gull:
Smaller and more slender than the larger gulls, Slender-billed Gulls can be identified by their carmine red legs, grey wings and back with black-tipped feathers, and pure white bodies. Unlike Black-headed Gulls, they do not develop a dark brown hood in summer—instead, their head remains white with subtle markings in winter.

A migratory bird that nests annually, the Slender-billed Gull can be observed from March onwards in the Hyères salt pans, where the ringing activity takes place, during guided nature outings organized by LPO Paca.

Source: Translated and adapted from the French article published on the Tour du Valat website: https://tourduvalat.org/actualites/plus-de-400-jeunes-goelands-railleurs-bagues-sur-les-salins-daigues-mortes/