Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus

Fairly common breeding summer visitor to Shetland, much less so on Foula. Also a passage migrant.

One or two pairs occasionally breed. The first documented record is by Jackson (1966) who noted a mixed Lesser Black-backed x Herring Gull pair incubating eggs. Furness (1983) noted 9 pairs in 1969, but this is more unusual.

Numbers normally peak around early to mid June. An impressive 50 birds were seen on the 4^th June, 1996 and 19^th June, 2003.

Singles are usually observed throughout the passage months of spring and autumn. The latest bird was observed on the 1^st October, 2000.