Birthday of world’s oldest common gull!
Photos Arne Ader
Translation Liis
Common gull Marta
Common gull (Eurasia); Mew gull (N. America) Kalakajakas Larus canus
On June 3rd common gull Marta was 34 years old. She was hatched on the Kakrarahu islet in Matsalu and nests there even today.
Ornithologist and bird ecologist Kalev Rattiste has studied gulls in Puise for almost 40 years and he was also in the team who ringed our ”birthday child”.
Until now the oldest common gull was considered to be a bird from Denmark, last seen at an age of 33 years and 8 months.
This year Marta and Oskar had three eggs in the nest. The male is 8 years younger than Marta, and the pair have been breeding together for 21 years.
Kalev Rattiste is certainly going to wish Marta a happy birthday – we join in the congratulations!
Common gulls Marta and Oskar - 21 years of partnership
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