Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Common breeding resident in Shetland. It is also a passage migrant and winter visitor

15 pairs were noted by Jackson (1966) during the breeding season in 1960. 35 pairs were counted in 1980. 16 pairs in 2000 (Harvey et al. 2001).

High counts include:

• 1100 on the 18^th October and 600 on the 4^th November, 1996.
• 700+ on the 1^st July, 500 on the 25^th August, 500 on the 15^th October, 2000 on the 3^rd November and 1500 on the 9^th November, 1997.