Common Gull - Larus canus

Description

It looks like a small, gentler version of the Herring Gull, with greenish legs and a yellow bill.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

In summer look along coasts and inland marshes and lakes of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England. Elsewhere in England and Wales seen in winter on farmland, near lakes and marshes and on the coast.

When to see it

All year round

Life History

Its name does not indicate that it is an abundant species, but that during the winter it feeds on common land, short pasture used for grazing. Often mixed with the more common Black-headed Gull, but normally in small numbers. Like most gulls, they are omnivores and will scavenge as well as hunt small prey.

UK Status

Common and widespread in Britain

VC55 Status

A common bird in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Common Gull, Mew Gull
Species group:
Birds
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Charadriiformes
Family:
Laridae
Records on NatureSpot:
456
First record:
21/04/2006 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
18/11/2024 (Messenger, Nigel)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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