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 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus L 38, W 91. Nests commonly in colonies, which can sometimes become huge (thousands of pansy on reedy lakes and marshes both inland and coastal, also on low islands. Colonies often contain breeding Tufted Ducks, Pochards etc, which derive protection from Crows. Often found in cities, where takes worms from lawns and the like, and in harbours, as well as on farmland. Black-headed Gulls benefit from cultivated landscapes; seen together with Common Gulls in large flocks following the plough. Catches winged insects in flocks high in the sky during the day, low over reeds in the evening. The colonies are abandoned at end of July and most breeders from N Europe then move south to coasts and farmland, returning at end of March and waiting until their breeding sites are habitable. Britain's only common gull with dark hood (chocolate-brown). Upperwings in all plumages have a triangular white panel formed by the outer 4-5 primaries. Underwings are always partly dark grey with a broad white fore-edge. Adult has feet and bill dark brownish-red, in summer plumage brown hood leaving the nape white (a little white also at the eye), in winter plumage white head with dark spot at the ear. Juveniles are reddish-brown on back, nape and crown, soon moult this to grey and white, respectively, but retain brown wing-covert bar and dark tail band. Feet yellowish-brown, bill yellowish-brown with black tip. Slender-billed Gull is very similar in winter and immature plumages (see that species). Call a screaming, rolling 'krreeay', 'krre' etc. RSWP
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