Lesser Black-backed Gull
The Lesser Black-backed Gull is slightly smaller than the Herring Gull and has a dark grey to black back and wings, yellow bill and yellow legs.
The world population is found entirely in Europe. After declines in the 19th century due to persecution, the Lesser Black-backed Gull increased its range and numbers. This expansion has now halted and there is serious concern about declines in many parts of its range. The species is on the Amber List because the UK is home to 40% of the European population and more than half of these are found at fewer than ten sites.
The Lesser Black-backed Gull can be found around the UK's coastline in summer and on some inland high moors. The biggest UK colony is on Walney Island, Cumbria with one third of the UK population. Large numbers of Scandinavian birds, which are darker than UK breeding birds, start to arrive in October and birds can be found from southern Scotland southwards and best looked for feeding over fields and at rubbish tips, congregating at large reservoir roosts each evening.
Date: 12th June 2014
Location: Staple Island, Farne Islands, Northumberland
The world population is found entirely in Europe. After declines in the 19th century due to persecution, the Lesser Black-backed Gull increased its range and numbers. This expansion has now halted and there is serious concern about declines in many parts of its range. The species is on the Amber List because the UK is home to 40% of the European population and more than half of these are found at fewer than ten sites.
The Lesser Black-backed Gull can be found around the UK's coastline in summer and on some inland high moors. The biggest UK colony is on Walney Island, Cumbria with one third of the UK population. Large numbers of Scandinavian birds, which are darker than UK breeding birds, start to arrive in October and birds can be found from southern Scotland southwards and best looked for feeding over fields and at rubbish tips, congregating at large reservoir roosts each evening.
Date: 12th June 2014
Location: Staple Island, Farne Islands, Northumberland
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Also in: Gulls
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