Concerns grow for future of Common Gull - a seabird whose population is spiralling ever downwards

Common gull - numbers have plummeted

THERE is disappointing news on the fortunes of the Common Gull.

Despite its name, it was never particularly 'common' - and now it is becoming even less so.

Such has been the population decline of the species since the year, 2000, that it has now been officially re-categorised from Amber-listed to Red-listed.

According to an article in the current edition  of British Birds journal, the decrease between 2020 and 2023, when the last survey was conducted, has been  52 per cent. And the reasons for its demise are not known.

It is not the only British seabird that is faring poorly.

Also re-categorised as red-listed are Leach's Storm-petrel (down 79 per cent), Great Black-backed Gull (down 56 per cent) and Arctic Tern (down 50 per cent).

The Great Skua is also Red-listed.

On the positive side, number of European Shag, Common Tern and Black Guillemot appear to be increasing.

The first has been moved from Red to Amber, while the other two have moved from Amber to Green.

                                                    

Common terns - happily their numbers seem to be increasing