Black Headed Gulls wait for spring, as the winter passes in the Miura Peninsula/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1202130014/

February 13, 2012

Caption: Scores of black headed gulls, suddenly take off, dancing in the air.

The gulls are looking forward to spring. In the harbor area of Nagasawa, Yokosuka city, groups of black headed gulls wait for the passing of winter. Over the levy, they're seen congregating together to rest their wings, silently floating on the waves. When a ship comes near, dozens of them take off in an instant, providing a mid-air dance scene for children and spectators.

A member of the gull family, black headed gulls are migratory birds, about 40 inches in length. Their heads are white, with black spots behind the eyes. According to The Wild Bird Society of Japan Kanagawa Branch (Japanese site), they arrive in the area around November, and pass the time until leaving around the enf of April. At this time, other migrating birds such as the Japanese Cormorant, European Herring Gull and Slaty Backed Gull can be spotted at the Miura Peninsula.

(Translation note: I was confused by the article describing the black headed gull as having a white head. I did some reading and found that while usually having a white head, they're known for their dark plumage during the summer.)


Original text:
春待つユリカモメ、三浦半島で越冬中/神奈川
2012年2月13日

ユリカモメ数十羽が一斉に飛び立ち、上空を乱舞

春、待ち遠しい―。横須賀市長沢周辺の浜辺や港で、ユリカモメの群れが越冬している。堤防の上で身を寄せ合って羽を休めたり、静かな波間にぷかぷか浮いたりしている。船が近くを通ると数十羽が一斉に飛び立ち、上空を乱舞する様子も観察できる。

 　ユリカモメはカモメ科の渡り鳥で体長約40センチ。頭部が白く、目の後ろに黒い斑点がある。日本野鳥の会神奈川支部によると、11月ごろから飛来し、４月下旬ごろまで過ごす。この時期、三浦半島ではウミウやセグロカモメ、オオセグロカモメなどの渡り鳥が見られるという。