Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreus (Gunnerus, 1767)
GZ
GLAGU
5990
Family: Charadriiformes > Laridae
The largely white adult and biscuit-coloured immature Glaucous Gulls are winter visitors to the coasts of Britain & Ireland.
The species breeds around the coasts of the high arctic archipelagos of Svalbard, Franz Josef Land, Iceland and Greenland. Many individuals remain close to their breeding grounds throughout the year and even when conditions are tough, may only move as far as the edge of the arctic ice. During prolonged periods of poor weather further north and west, Glaucous Gulls can arrive in Britain & Ireland in force. It is hardly surprising that the majority of records come from the north, with some northern harbours hosting small flocks of Glaucous Gulls in some years.
BTO Online Ringing report recoveries come from Iceland, Svalbard, Norway and Bear Island.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Glaucous Gull
Identification
Glaucous Gull identification is often straightforward. The following article may help when identifying Glaucous Gull.
Identifying Iceland Gull and Glaucous Gull
The latest identification video tackles the difficult pair of gulls, Iceland and Glaucous. March is one of the best months of the year to catch up with wandering gulls as they make their way back to their summer haunts.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Glaucous Gull, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Call
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| UK Birds of Conservation Concern | Amber listed |
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
Bern(III) |
POPULATION SIZE
| UK (winter) | 165 (2011-16) |
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Shetland, 1809 |
DISTRIBUTION
Glaucous Gulls are regular winter visitors to Britain & Ireland, with a wide scatter of records around the coast of Britain, though they are scarcer on the west coast of England and Wales. They are widely recorded across the Northern Isles and the Outer Hebrides. In Ireland they are found mainly around the coast, especially in the west, with few records inland.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in winter | 463 |
| % occupied in winter | 15 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +7.2% |
SEASONALITY
Glaucous Gulls are usually winter visitors, most often recorded in late winter.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Glaucous Gull, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
1 |
|
Egg Size
|
77×54 mm Weight = 118 g (of which 7% is shell) |
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
|
Maximum Age from Ringing
|
17 years 4 months 7 days (set in 2003)
|
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Ring size
|
H |
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: GZ | 5-letter code: GLAGU | Euring: 5990 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Effectiveness of disturbance methods and egg removal to deter large gulls Larus spp. from competing with nesting terns Sterna spp. on Coquet Island RSPB reserve, Northumberland, England
- Calcium supplementation of breeding birds: directions for future research
- Breeding ecology and management of snowy plovers in north-central Oklahoma
Read more studies about Glaucous Gull on Conservation Evidence >
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