Lesser Black-backed Gull - Middleton Moor

The Lesser Black-backed is by far the commonest of the large gulls in the Peak District, currently there are around 500 to 600 roosting at Middleton Moor. They can then be seen feeding in grassy fields in the area during the day.
The increase in number of birds wintering in Derbyshire is a relatively recent change, and can number several thousand at Carsington. Prior to the 1970's is was mainly a migrant with most records in the Autumn.
Almost all the birds are of the western European race Larus fuscus graellsii which breeds around much of the British coastline.

Lesser Black-backed Gull - adult graellsii