Black-headed
Gull:
UK Status: Resident.
Habitat: This gull is
not really a true sea gull, and although there are colonies on
the coast, it is mainly and inland bird. These birds are
scavengers and can be seen almost any where there is food to
be found. They frequent inland bodies of water such as pools,
lakes and sluggish rivers. Often seen with other gulls at
landfill sites, also seen at times in parks and gardens. After
breeding they lose their black head plumage, except for a
small dark spot or patch behind the eye. The bird pictured
above left is a juvenile in it's first winter plumage, the
birds above are mature and displaying their true winter
plumage.
Breeding: This bird
nests on open ground including wetlands and marshes. Some
times they nest on dryer ground near water, and on occasions
in low trees, or bushes. Nests are usually a piled up mound of
vegetation, built in a hollow in the ground.
Comment: Probably our
commonest inland gull in northern England, Scotland and Wales.
There are also some colonies on the south, and east coasts of
England.