Rare gull recorded in Brora

A RARE gull has been spotted in East Sutherland.

A Bonaparte's gull - the American equivalent of the black-headed gull was recorded at Brora yesterday. It has been listed on the Rare Bird Alert website.

The Bonaparte's gull is a rare visitor not only to the UK but to Europe. The gull breeds in America and winters as far south as Mexico

Adults have black hoods and pink legs in summer, white heads and a black ear patch in winter. They have a thin black bill.

It likes coniferous woodland, winter coasts, lakes and marshes and feeds on small fish, crustaceans and insects.

The gull`s name honours Charles Lucien Bonaparte, who made important contributions to American ornithology.

It is also the only gull that regularly nests in trees.

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