daily migrating gulls

[nytecam]

For the last 30yrs here in SW London flocks of gulls totalling hundreds of birds are seen flying due east each early morning and returning each evening. I assume they come from the many reservoirs in west London/North Surrey but where precisely do they go for the day presumably to feed? Presumably someone in east Surrey/Kent knows! TIA

[poschiavanus]

There was a detailed account in one of the Berks Bird Club Annual Reports (around 2006), describing how the closure of one landfill site affected movements and roosting sites. These gull movements have been studied pretty closely as they represent a hazard of bird strike for Heathrow air traffic.

[Adam Cheeseman]

The general movement is for the gulls to spend the day at places like Beddington Sewage Works/landfill before heading to roost mainly at Queen Mother, QE2 and Queen Mary Reservoirs. They also make pre-roost stops at Island Barn and Staines reservoirs.

Cheers,

Adam

[nytecam]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

The general movement is for the gulls to spend the day at places like Beddington Sewage Works/landfill before heading to roost mainly at Queen Mother, QE2 and Queen Mary Reservoirs. They also make pre-roost stops at Island Barn and Staines reservoirs.

Cheers, Adam

Thanks Adam - well I never - used to work in Carshalton!

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

The general movement is for the gulls to spend the day at places like Beddington Sewage Works/landfill before heading to roost mainly at Queen Mother, QE2 and Queen Mary Reservoirs. They also make pre-roost stops at Island Barn and Staines reservoirs.

Cheers,

Adam

Larger species like Herring & Black-backed Gulls will frequently be found at places like landfill sites in the area. Smaller species like Black-headed & Common Gulls will also be found feeding at landfill sites, but will also spend the day at gravel pits, on farmland, and on playing fields (feeding on worms etc as well as scraps). Early in the morning gulls will also be found scavenging the scraps of takeaway food etc left in town center streets.

I wouldn't be surprised if a fair proportion of the gulls that roost on the south-west London reservoirs also disperse further afield, heading out into the Thames estuary to find more 'natural' food (or visit the tips out that way!).

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

The general movement is for the gulls to spend the day at places like Beddington Sewage Works/landfill before heading to roost mainly at Queen Mother, QE2 and Queen Mary Reservoirs. They also make pre-roost stops at Island Barn and Staines reservoirs.

Cheers,

Adam

Forgot to mention that as the gull roosts are monitored pretty much daily it is quite regular for gulls like, Glaucous, Iceland, Yellow-legged and Mediterranean to be in amongst the masses.

It's just a pity that the Glaucous-winged Gull at Beddington a couple of years ago didn't stick around and go to roost with the rest of them.

Cheers,

Adam

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Forgot to mention that as the gull roosts are monitored pretty much daily it is quite regular for gulls like, Glaucous, Iceland, Yellow-legged and Mediterranean to be in amongst the masses.

It's just a pity that the Glaucous-winged Gull at Beddington a couple of years ago didn't stick around and go to roost with the rest of them.

Cheers,

Adam

Yes, gull roosts often have a chance of attracting scarce and rare species - the Laughing Gull that spend a night at Amwell a few years ago was nice!

It might be interesting to look at the roost movements of gulls in the London Area in more detail - I might see if I can persuade some people to record flight paths/direction and approximate numbers later in the winter.