Common Gull (Larus canus)
Species
Common Gull (Larus canus). Summer plumage. Taken on South Uist on May 20th 2019.
Summer plumage. Taken on South Uist on May 20th 2019.
(1/800th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Common Gull (Larus canus). Winter plumage. Taken at Cley, Norfolk, on October 5th 2019.
Winter plumage. Taken at Cley, Norfolk, on October 5th 2019.
(1/400th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 40 - 42 cm; WS: 110 - 130 cm

The Common Gull looks like a smaller version of the Herring Gull, but it has greenish legs and a yellow bill. For most of the year three age groups are recognizable.

It is resident in Scotland and coastal parts of east Anglia, but can be found inland during the winter.

Breeding habitats include coasts, islands, marshes, rivers and inland lakes.

The Common Gull has Amber status on the UK list. There are around 49,000 breeding pairs, and over 700000 birds spend the winter here.

Sightings

31-Jan-2024 : Slimbridge, Glos (2)

05-Feb-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
19-Jan-2023 : Slimbridge, Glos (1)

24-Jan-2022 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1)

21-Jan-2021 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (2)

16-Nov-2020 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1)
13-Oct-2020 : Cley Marshes, Norfolk (2)
05-Feb-2020 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk
04-Feb-2020 : Overy Marshes, Norfolk (1)
03-Feb-2020 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (1)
02-Feb-2020 : Holkham NNR, Norfolk (1)
01-Jan-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)

03-Dec-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
29-Nov-2019 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1)
05-Oct-2019 : Cley Marshes, Norfolk (3)
22-May-2019 : Lochindorb, Highland
20-May-2019 : Liniclate, Benbecula
20-May-2019 : Ardivachar, South Uist
19-May-2019 : Aird an Runair, North Uist (4+)
07-Apr-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
09-Jan-2019 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1)

31-Dec-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
16-Dec-2018 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1)
21-Jun-2018 : Whelford Pools, Glos (1)
05-Apr-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
01-Apr-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
12-Feb-2018 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1)
06-Jan-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)

18-Dec-2017 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (2)
26-Nov-2017 : Hitchcopse Pit, Oxon (1)

16-Jan-2016 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (2)

24-Oct-2015 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (3+)

12-Jan-2014 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (2)
05-Jan-2014 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1)

29-Dec-2013 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1+)
07-Apr-2013 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)
03-Apr-2013 : Hinksey Lake, Oxford, Oxon (1)

14-Aug-2005 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk