Sergey Dereliev

The former L. argentatus is splitted today into three species: Herring Gull L. argentatus, Yellow-legged Gull L. michahellis, Caspian Gull L. cachinnans. Unfortunately, ancient recoveries of 'Herring Gull' could refer to movements of current L. michahellis or L. cachinnans. Current Herring Gull is an abundant large gull with very large distribution range in W and N Europe (BirdLife International 2021). Populations vary from resident to partial migratory or migratory (Olsen & Larsson 2004). Two subspecies in Europe (argentatus in N Europe; argenteus in W Europe, with large zone of intergrades from W Europe to Denmark (Olsen & Larsson 2004).

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
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Overall Connectivity for European Herring Gull

N and E European populations move longer distances, while those from W Europe remain sedentary or perform short-range local movements or migrate (as also reported by tracking data). N and E European population migrates mostly SW/W, up to southern coasts of the Baltic and the Wadden seas, also inland in C Europe (rarely arrive to W Europe). C European birds move more randomly: movements to S Baltic, Wadden sea, but also to W Europe (up to NW Iberia) and SC Europe (Italy and the surrounding seas). NW/W populations move along the coast of W Europe, from the Wadden sea are to W Iberia, also a lot of within-UK movements for the birds breeding there. Arrival to Africa exceptional: a bird ringed in The Netherlands encountered in Morocco. Immatures most dispersive (Olsen & Larsson 2004).

Recoveries by Condition for European Herring Gull

Most recoveries due to birds seen alive (86%), either with metal ring (17%), or with leg ring(s) or other marks (65%). This proportion of recoveries of birds seen alive was very low in former times (6% before 1960; 15% during the period 1961-1990). The greatest proportion of recoveries before 1960 was due to dead individuals by sickness/wounded or other and 33% of dead by shooting.

Annual Movements for European Herring Gull

First movements after breeding found in Aug, especially in C/W Europe. Migration of N and E European populations peak in Sep/Nov. Within-winter movements also possible, especially under harsh conditions such as a cold spells or strong storms. Return to breeding quarters very soon in W/C populations (adults settled even in Jan). Arrival to breeding quarters for the N European population in Mar/Apr.

Connectivity by Month by Region for European Herring Gull

N and E populations leave breeding sites by Aug. Migration peak in Sept/Oct towards N and W Europe, English Channel. Spring migrations of these northern birds back to breeding sites in Mar/Apr. Other European populations sedentary or short-distance dispersive (Olsen & Larsson 2004). First-year movements of the C and W populations from Aug onwards. Arrival to winter quarters seems to be rapid, since these birds normally move no more than some hundreds of kilometers. In Britain, abundance peaks in Dec-Feb (Olsen & Larsson 2004).

Olatz & Juan

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 2021 . Species factsheet: Larus argentatus.
Olsen, K. M., Larsson, H.2004 . Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America. Helm Identification Guides, London

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