Anne Cotton

Largest gull in the world with broad breeding range within N Atlantic, from E Canada/USA to the White sea (BirdLife International 2022). In Europe is a coastal seabird breeding from NW Iberia to NW Russia. Strategies vary from resident to partial migrant or migratory; migratory behaviour increases with latitude (Olsen & Larsson 2004).

Season of assessment

B

Population trendStable
Population size
(min-max, best estimate)		172000-215000,196000
Red List categoryLC
Franks, S., Fiedler, W., Arizaga, J., Jiguet, F., Nikolov, B., van der Jeugd, Ambrosini, R, Aizpurua, O., Bairlein, F., Clark, J., Fattorini, N, Hammond, M., Higgins, D, Levering, H., Skellorn, W., Spina, F, Thorup, K. Walker, J., Woodward, I. and Baillie, S.R. (1) (2022) Online Atlas of the movements of European bird populations. https://migrationatlas.org EURING/CMS (1) Principal investigator
Map

Overall Connectivity for Great Black-backed Gull

Main migratory axis is N-S or NE-SW, thus to some extent winter distribution ranges of migrant populations reflect breeding distribution ranges at more S latitudes. Populations from NW Europe (Britain-Ireland) resident or move to S up to from NW Iberia to E Wadden sea (exceptionally, 1 recovery in SW Spain). At same time, UK receives in winter birds from Scandinavia (mainly Norway) to Iceland. Birds from W Europe resident or with short-range movements, normally up to middle part of Atlantic façade of FranceFennoscandian birds tend to be migratory, with strong connectivity: Norwegian/N Finish populations mostly overwinter from Denmark to E Britain/N France; circum-Baltic birds mostly overwinter in along S coast of the Baltic, up to Denmark. Exceptional movements from N America to Europe (from Newfoundland to W Europe), also to Bear island (Bjørnøya). 

Recoveries by Condition for Great Black-backed Gull

Overall, most (78%) recoveries due to birds found alive, identified by other means, such as Darvic leg ring(s). Before 1960, most recoveries were due to shot (almost 45%) or birds found dead, sick or wounded (45%). Still up to 1990 most birds were found dead, sick or wounded (60%) or dead by shot (24%). Currently, most (88%) recoveries are due to birds encountered alive, mostly identified from leg ring(s).

Annual Movements for Great Black-backed Gull

Post-breeding movements/migration start as early as Jul, especially in case of High Arctic populations (Olsen & Larsson 2004). Main arrival to these N birds to winter quarters in Sep. Migration in N Europe peaks Oct-Nov, though first movements found already in Jul-Aug. Spring migration Mar-Apr. Younger birds move more than adults, especially if coming from S Scandinavia to NW/W Europe (Olsen & Larsson 2004).

Connectivity by Month by Region for Great Black-backed Gull

Temporal patterns rather similar for all regions, so for details see Annual movements.

Juan Arizaga

References

Statistics Map
N records N individuals N recoveries
Mapped data*
Total available data
*Mapped data include only distant (>= 50 km) recoveries
References Map
BirdLife International 2022 . Species factsheet: Larus marinus.
Olsen, K. M., Larsson, H.2004 . Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America. Helm Identification Guides, London

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