The Breeding Biology of the Herring Gull in Newfoundland

Abstract

HERRING Gull (Larus argentatus) populations in Europe have undergone spectacular increases since 1930 (Voous 1960, Harris 1970), the species having extended its range (G•roudet 1968) and type of nesting habitat (Goethe 1960, Cramp 1971). In North America similar increases have been taking place. At the turn of the century egging and taking of chicks had reduced the Herring Gull population of the New England States and Maritime Provinces to a low level, but legal protection and progressive urbanization have allowed it to recover, and populations have been doubling every 12 to 15 years since the early 1900's (Kadlec and Drury 1968). Because of the increasing threat of gull strikes to aircraft (Drury 1963), their encroachment on waterfowl (Amadon 1958, Grenquist 19•65), pollution of reservoirs, and possible role in the dissemination of disease (Silverman and Griffiths 1955, Brough 1969), their biology has been studied intensively in recent years. As this species has been little studied in the northwestern North Atlantic, we studied its breeding biology in a colony on Gull Island, Witless Bay, Newfoundland during the summers of 1969-71. b Fig. I. Showing parts of Gull Island where density of Herring Gull nests was determined. Predation study nests in area 12. The Point is area 11. The east side square was located in regions 5 and 7. a, Northeast Sector; b, east side; c, south side; d, Peat Valley and base of Point; e, the Point; f, west side. 678 The Auk 92: 678-697. October 1975