Species of the day: Herring Gull
By James Duncan
Learning and Engagement Officer
The Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) splits public opinion like no other bird. It may appear a familiar sight and sound across the length and breadth of the country, indeed in many areas you'd argue they're hard to avoid - but astonishingly it's in catastrophic decline. It's the UK's breeding population that's in trouble, the Gull having had a 'Red listed' conservation status for the last ten years. This may oppose the general consensus, but the simple reason for the disparity is a greater proportion of the remaining birds now nest colonially in urban areas. This hasn't exactly enamoured them with the UK public, with stories told of 'vicious attacks,' litter scattering and chip theft. One thing's not in doubt - the Herring Gull is a sizeable bird and may be seen by some as rather intimidating. We unquestionably spend far more time in close proximity with this species than with any other wild animal of its size.
The Herring Gull is also the species most typically associated with the word 'seagull.' The majority of Gull species have long since shifted from a life at sea - declines in fish stocks, changes in discard practice and pollution have resulted in these adaptable birds looking for new feeding opportunities. Herring Gulls of course have no desire to specifically attack humans. They are, however, fiercely protective of their young (like most animals) and highly adept at opportunistic scavenging. Interestingly, a study in 2019 published by the Royal Society concluded that 'human gaze' significantly affected the Gulls' desire to approach food, indicating that only around a quarter of those tested would undertake 'food snatching.' Indeed tracking data from the BTO has indicated that many fly long distances to feed in rural and coastal locations - their dietary requirements generally far exceed that provided by us on the high street. Times for them are in fact harder than they've ever been - even the volume of food waste we produce is now vastly decreased through composting and incineration.
It's doubtful there's another bird more intrinsically linked with our seaside than the Herring Gull. Their proclaiming calls and cries are so familiar yet manage to evoke such a conflict of emotions. Adults in full breeding plumage are certainly a magnificent sight, their immaculate plumage giving them a handsome, besuited appearance. Like most seabirds they also have a marvellous adaptation enabling them to drink sea-water, a pair of salt glands above the eyes excreting the salty mixture from the nostrils. The urban Herring Gull has now found the ideal warm and largely predator-free environment in which to survive. It's the perfect example of a species thoroughly in tune with human ways, increased confidence around us helping them to exploit anything we provide.
Herring Gull © James Duncan
Comments
Hi James, what is the baseline against which HG decline is measured? Did it reflect human influences which have drastically changed?
Hi Cliff. The baseline indicated a UK breeding population of more than 285,000 back in 1969, with both decreases and increases in population shown from region to region since that time - as demonstrated by data collected as part of the Seabird Monitoring Programme. The overall trend still shows significant decline, hence their Red-listing and BAP status, though populations in coastal urban areas have indeed increased. Scotland and Northern Ireland seems to have witnessed the largest colonial losses. Ultimately we're still waiting to see the results of the most recent seabird census (final survey year in 2021).
Here's some useful documents from JNCC
https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/herring-gull-larus-argentatus/
http://data.jncc.gov.uk/data/1dae7357-350c-483f-b14d-7513254433a5/S2000-14-heg-tabs-figs-web.pdf
06 Aug 2020 14:03:00
What do the blackish marks on the herring gull bill indicate. (Adult birds)
Hi Ken - Herring Gulls (along with other larger Gull species) take four calendar years to reach full adult plumage. During that time, both their summer and winter plumage varies enormously (through feather moult), including the colour of the beak. By their 2nd winter, the beak usually becomes lighter, the amount of black gradually diminishing (from being entirely dark as a juvenile). By adulthood, this morphs into the more obvious and diagnostic red spot - this has been shown to be a visual clue for the chicks in breeding season, whereby pecking at the spot stimulates the adults to regurgitate food23 Feb 2021 11:20:00
Hi James
We have had Gulls nesting on our roof in Seaford for 32years . For the last 3 years there have been two females nesting but there appears only one male. The first year one of the chicks seemed unwelcome and was repeatedly pushed off the roof but it survived. For the last 2 years the two families seem to co exist happily. Is this unusual. I can’t find any information on this.
09 May 2021 17:15:00
This is a seriously difficult question to answer without a PHD in Herring Gull behavioural ecology! These sort of traits always are, as the reasons behind them tend to only become apparent once they’ve been extensively studied (and that’s if they even have been!)
I wonder whether their scenario relates to a polygynous male (keeping multiple mates) who’s struggling with recognition of his own offspring. It certainly seems to relate to recognition, acceptance and rejection of young, which is rather complex, no matter the species.
You might want to check out this research paper online, download the full version and get reading!
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229610228_Adoption_Parent-Chick_Recognition_and_Maladaptation_in_the_Herring_Gull_Larus_argentatus
10 May 2021 09:40:39
We have a herring gull nesting on our roof. She has been there for over a month She seems to only be there in day light. I do not understand this behaviour.
13 Jun 2022 10:39:00