Do common gulls nest inland? (1 Viewer)

I'm slightly ashamed to ask such a basic question - but how else am I going to catch up with the rest of you if I don't ask?

I was cycling up to raid (by prior arrangement) my neighbour’s allotment this afternoon when I heard an appalling scream.

At first I couldn’t locate the source of the noise and then saw in the sky a sparrow hawk with something, about the size of an orange, in its talons, being mobbed by a gull. The screams continued (from the gull) and then it was joined by about half a dozen more gulls, who mobbed the sprawk until I lost sight of them all. The sparrow hawk kept its prey as far as I could see.

I couldn’t give a positive ID of the gulls (bike, bags, no binoculars, incompetence etc.) but I'd say they were Common Gulls.

I assumed from the hysteria that it was a gull chick being taken but then realised I wasn't aware that Common Gulls nest in the village (we are about 8 miles inland). It was a surprisingly big fuss and some deeply tragic noises from the first adult if something other than a young gull was being taken.

You'd think from my avatar that I'd know this wouldn't you?

Yes, Common Gulls often nest in inland colonies. Often found on areas of moorland or along river courses.


JP

Thanks JP, that'll be it then - I'll log that away in the memory banks.

HB