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Kelp Gull subspecies added to British List

BOURC accepts subspecies vetula (Cape Gull) after sustained presence at Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire

Cape Gull, Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire, (© Richard Tyler)

A notable addition to the British List
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has confirmed the addition of Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus to the British List, following acceptance of a long-staying individual at Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire. The decision represents one of the most significant outcomes from the committee’s latest review.

The bird, identified as the southern African subspecies L. d. vetula (often referred to as Cape Gull), was recorded over multiple years, providing a robust body of evidence for its identification and origin.

A record built over time
Rather than a brief or one-off occurrence, the same individual was documented across three consecutive years - first as a third-calendar-year bird in August 2022, returning in June 2023, and again in August 2024.

This prolonged presence allowed for detailed study and repeated confirmation of key identification features, strengthening the case for acceptance. Multi-year records of this nature are rare and can be particularly valuable in resolving complex identification challenges.

Ruddy Duck decision
In the same review, BOURC moved Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis from Category C1 to Category C6, reflecting the collapse of the formerly naturalised population in Britain following eradication efforts. With numbers reduced to near extinction and no recent evidence of sustained breeding, the species is no longer considered to maintain a self-sustaining population in the wild.

April 2026

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