Mew Gull

The Mew Gull is a rare winter visitor to Portugal, with its breeding populations found in Northern Europe and the temperate regions of Asia; the waters of the Iberian Peninsula and north-western Africa mark the southern limit of the species’ wintering range (del Hoyo et al. 1992). Although scarce, it is a regular visitor to Mainland Portugal. The species occurs sporadically along the entire coast, but appears to be more common north of the Tagus, with a preference for sandy coasts and estuaries (Catry et al. 2010a). To date, most sightings have been recorded between November and early April, with a particular concentration during the winter months, generally involving isolated individuals or small groups, often associated with other gull species (Catry et al. 2010a). In the Azores, it is most frequently observed at Praia da Vitória, on Terceira Island, with several dozen records (Birding Azores 2014; CPR). In Madeira, records of this gull are scarce. In the marine censuses carried out as part of this atlas, there are few records of the species, and all were made in the continental waters of the EEZ, up to 15 nautical miles from the coast, during the autumn and winter months.