Lesser black-backed gull

What do they look like?

Somewhat similar to the herring gull but slightly smaller in size, lesser black-backed gulls are dark grey above and white below, with a white head. They have a distinctive yellow beak and yellow legs.

When can I see them in Scotland?

All year

Where can I see them in Scotland?

Lesser black-backed gulls can be spotted around the Scottish coast and are also increasingly common in urban habitats like fields, lochs, and reservoirs.

Conservation Status:

In the UK, bird species with breeding, passage or wintering populations are assessed by experts and assigned to the Red, Amber or Green lists of conservation concern. Lesser black-backed gulls are currently an ‘Amber’ listed species.