The Wintering of Gulls in Britain

1.An investigation into the wintering of gulls in Britain, with especial emphasis on the inland roosting of gulls, was carried out in the winter of 1952/3.2. A great influx of gulls on the east coast of Britain in October and November is followed by increases in inland roosting birds, reaching a maximum at the end of the year.The return movement begins in February.3. Temporary roosts in inland areas are formed on flood waters, including the largest single roost in Britain on the Great Ouse Washes, which are flooded each winter.4. The total number of gulls roosting inland in England is of the order of 350,000, consistinv of approximately 250,000 Black-headed Gulls (Lanus ridibundus), 5o,000 Common Gulls (L.callus), 34,000 Herring Gulls (L.argentatus), and 2,000 Greater Black-backed Gulls (L.marinus).Small numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls (L.fuscus) are also recorded.The figures for Scotland are not complete. Information is given on coastal wintering of gulls.6.A survey of wintering of gulls county by county is given.130 WINTERING OF GULLS I(4)England, and it is believed that no large or important roost has been missed.In Scotland good cover was obtained only for the counties of Midlothian and Peebles ; but an account of coastal roosting in Inverness-shire can undoubtedly be taken as typical of most of the Highlands One roost only was reported for Ireland, and none for Wales.Altogether 68 inland roosts were reported, and 18 coastal or estuarine roosts of over I,000 birds.Observers were asked to classify roost populations into four numerical groups, increasing in powers of ten, during the first ten days of January 1953.Additional information requested included proportions of the various species involved, counts for other months, and the extent of feeding territories.Much valuable information under these headings was received.Thanks are due to all the observers who watched roosts in such difficult conditions, and especially to the following, who were responsible for organising the inquiry in their respective areas : F. R. Smith (Devon), R. H.