MEER G VAN DER (2002) Observations of Gull-bileld Terns Sterna gelochelidon KI. in The Netherlands. LIMOSA 75 (4): 137-146.

Originally published in Orgaan der Club van Nederlandsche Vogelkundigen 3 (1930): 70- 82 as part I of two papers on the occurrence of Gull-billed Terns in The Netherlands. Part 2 was published by Van der Meer in Orgaan der Club van Nederlandsche Vogelkundigen 3 (1931): 136-145.

This paper documents observations of roosting Gull-billed Terns at the former Zuiderzee coast (nowadays Lake IJsselmeer) in the province of Friesland in the second half of the 1920s. Although the species up till then was known as considered to be quite rare, data from Van der Meer suggest that Gull-billed Terns were roosting regularly at the beach near Ferwoude in late summer (especially in mid-August). His observations were confirmed by birds shot, and during most evenings 30-40 individuals were observed. Often, adult birds were accompanied by young. It was then not clear if these only referred to breeding birds from abroad (i.e. Denmark), or that the species was also breeding in the area. Early observations of fledged young (e.g. 21 June 1927) suggest that breeding might have occurred. Most birds had departed by mid September. A full account of the present situation is presented in the next paper (Limosa 75: 147-158).

[free pdf] [dutch summary]