Sea Gulls

[jimbo]

I've noticed a number of gulls around my area in recent months. I suppose their natural habitat is on the coast but with the reductions in coastal fishing I guess they are having to come in to seek food.

Anyone have any info on this?

[Magwitch]

I think the seagull ( Herring gull ) should be more appropriately named the Waste-tip gull, as these sites appear to be their preferred source of food inland now

Magwitch

[rolf]

Yes, there are now huge populations of inland gulls and they probably don't go near the sea any more. When I was a kid, we used to consider a gull inland as a precursor to bad weather, no longer however.

[Chocky]

There are hundreds of them on Hampstead Heathe ponds too, which are nowhere near the sea.

[Owlperson2007]

Gulls are opportunists and go anywhere during the winter away from the stormy sea. However they are very rare inland (except at tips) during the summer.

[rolf]

I disagree Olwperson2007, there are now large breeding Gull colonies inland, the main ones being Black-headed Gull.

[Chocky]

Hampstead Heath is in London and there are hundreds there Black headed gull as well on the first two pond all year round and at kelsey Park in south London as well

[Owlperson2007]

I disagree Olwperson2007, there are now large breeding Gull colonies inland, the main ones being Black-headed Gull.

Good to see that the more the merrier. I don't see many inland in the summer, but maybe I'm not looking in the right places.

[rolf]

Yes, they tend to like areas with gravel pits and the M4 corridor in Berkshire has them aplenty.