 Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus). Taken on Skomer, Pembrokeshire, on May 6th 2014. Taken on Skomer, Pembrokeshire, on May 6th 2014. (1/640th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus). Taken on Skomer, Pembrokeshire, on May 6th 2014. Taken on Skomer, Pembrokeshire, on May 6th 2014. (1/320th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) Description L: 48 - 56 cm; WS: 117 - 134 cm The Lesser Black-backed Gull has a dark grey to black back and wings, yellow bill and yellow legs. For most of the year four age-groups can be identified. It is found in north-west Europe and around the Baltic. In Britain it is found around the 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. In north and east Europe this species is a long-distance migrant, flying to Africa for the winter. Western birds are shorter-distance migrants, and many over-winter in the British Isles. This 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. Sightings | 01-Jan-2024 | : | Cote, Oxon | (200+) |
| | 26-Dec-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 17-Dec-2023 | : | Cote, Oxon | (2) | | 08-Dec-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 05-Dec-2023 | : | Cote, Oxon | (3) | | 25-Nov-2023 | : | Cote, Oxon | (10) | | 14-Nov-2023 | : | Cote, Oxon | | | 06-Nov-2023 | : | Cote, Oxon | | | 05-Nov-2023 | : | Cote, Oxon | | | 08-Apr-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (200+) | | 01-Jan-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | |
| | 20-Nov-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 13-Nov-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (12) | | 26-Oct-2022 | : | Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks | (1) | | 08-Oct-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 19-Aug-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 21-Jun-2022 | : | Wasdale, Cumbria | (3) | | 20-Jun-2022 | : | Ravenglass, Cumbria | (1) | | 21-May-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 14-Feb-2022 | : | Appleford GPs, Oxon | (100+) | | 10-Feb-2022 | : | Dorchester, Oxon | (50+) | | 08-Feb-2022 | : | Bury Down, Berks | (7) | | 02-Feb-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (20) | | 30-Jan-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) |
| | 28-Oct-2021 | : | Port Meadow, Oxford, Oxon | (1) | | 26-Oct-2021 | : | Port Meadow, Oxford, Oxon | | | 23-Oct-2021 | : | Appleford GPs, Oxon | | | 16-Oct-2021 | : | Appleford GPs, Oxon | | | 11-May-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2+) | | 10-May-2021 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (2) | | 07-May-2021 | : | Graven Hill, Oxon | (1) | | 14-Apr-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (3) | | 31-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 14-Mar-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 11-Mar-2021 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (10+) | | 27-Feb-2021 | : | Appleford GPs, Oxon | (30+) | | 12-Feb-2021 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (1) |
| | 17-Dec-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 14-Dec-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (48) | | 26-Nov-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (6) | | 16-Nov-2020 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 10-Nov-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (75+) | | 03-Nov-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 25-May-2020 | : | Appleford GPs, Oxon | | | 09-Apr-2020 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (2) | | 01-Mar-2020 | : | Lower Radley, Oxon | (5) | | 27-Feb-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 27-Jan-2020 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 12-Jan-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 05-Jan-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (20+) |
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