Common gulls are somewhat misnamed, for in most parts of the British Isles
the commonest members of the family are either Black Headed or Herring
Gulls. As all the year round residents Common Gulls are restricted to
Scotland and the north of Ireland, where they are often abundant. To most
other districts of Britain they are visitors outside the breeding season,
arriving in August to September and leaving again in March. There is however
one precarious and isolated breeding colony in the south of England. In
the breeding season they are always to be found near the coast, but in
winter they feed freely inland.
In size the Common Gull resembles the
Black Headed Gull, but may be distinguished, even when the Black Headed
is without the black on the head, by the colour of the legs and bill.
The bill is greenish yellow and the legs are greyish or yellowish green.
The plumage is white with a soft grey mantle, with the black wing tips
having white "mirrors". Immature plumage is mottled brown.
Biology:
Size:
Quite a small bird measuring about 16 inches.
Habitat:
The coast and occasionally inland waters.
Nest: The
usual site for the nest is on shingle,often on a beach quite close to
the high water mark. A crevice among rocks or a hollow scraped in the
ground generally furnishes the site for the nest itself, but on the moors
a thick clump of grass or heather may hold it. Little nesting material
is used, a scrappy collection of grass, heather, seaweed or other plants
being the usual lining.
Eggs:
Laying begins about the middle of May and there is only one clutch per
year of 2-3 eggs. The eggs show considerable variation in both colour
and markings. The background colour ranges from a pale buff to a greenish-blue
to a brownish-olive and the markings are grey, brown and near black. They
consist of spots, blotches and smears and are usually scattered sparsely
over the shell, but may occasionally be more dense. Completely unmarked
bluish eggs have also been recorded.
Food:
Small fish, sandworms, shellfish, crustaceans, carrion and odd scraps
of all sorts. Like other gulls, it also feeds on the land and follows
the plough, eating worms, grubs and insects.
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