First breeding record of Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus) in Iran

For the first time we recorded a breeding colony of Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus fromShahid Kazemi dam, West Azerbaijan, Iran, which is considered first record for the species in Iran.Breeding attempts were monitored in 2014-2015 breeding seasons at Saidabad islet of Shahid Kazemi Dam, where Mediterranean Gulls bred in mixes-species colonies with Slender–billed and Black-headed Gulls. We recorded around 100 Mediterranean Gull nests in Seidabad islet during the two breeding seasons. The modal clutch was three-egg clutches. Nestlings weighed 27 gr (SD=1.64) at hatching and 358 gr (SD=23.5) prior to fledging. Our record in northwest Iran is suggesting that the species is expanding its breeding ranges probably as a result of variation in breeding grounds or climatic changes. Further investigations are needed to understand their breeding ecology and causes and consequences of colony expansions. Compared to a random sample, nests of common Terns, were placed on the higher parts of the island. At the same time, there was not a significant difference between the elevation of the nests of Black-head Gulls and Mediterranean Gulls, based on Mann-Whitney U test.