Wild at Hull: Urban birds at Hull. 29. Great Black-backed Gull

Saturday 15 January 2022

Urban birds at Hull. 29. Great Black-backed Gull

The largest gull, adult has blackish back and massive bill, and an overall bulky look. Legs are pink, unless Lesser Black-backed Gull's, which are yellow. Juveniles are best identified by size and bill size when mixed with other gulls. Heavy flight when compared to other gulls. Great Black-backed Gulls are scavengers and kleptoparasites, snatching food from other marine birds. Feed on birds, fish, shellfish and carrion and discarded food in rubbish tips. Breeds on rocky cliffs and islands on West and North UK coasts.

A 4th year Great Black-backed Gull at Bransholme reservoir dwarfing the Herring Gull behind it. 9 Nov 2021.

A dirty Great Black-backed Gull comes down to the river Hull for a wash. 29th November.

Status and distribution in Hull

A scarce wintering gull in Hull, although possibly under recorded. It is a wary bird and tends to rest out of the way, mixed with other gulls on roosts on industrial areas near the river Hull and the estuary. Nowadays usually in single figures, contrasting with Richard Broughton's report of the species being common and abundant around the docks and Humber front in the 80s, for example 'Hard weather in December 1985, meanwhile, brought 1,200 into St Andrew's Dock'.

Two adult Great Black-backed Gull atop an industrial estate roof, 4th December 2021.

13th December 2021. This Great Black-backed Gull struggled with a flounder, and ended up flying away with it.

20th Dec 2021. An adult Great Black-backed Gull comes down to the river Hull for a wash. Later 7 individuals will gather on the bank of the river, including a 1st winter individual, the largest group I've seen in Hull.