The most widespread pink-legged gull in North America, the herring is common in the east and mainly a winter visitor in the west. Hybrids can be locally common (mainly in the wescat). Polytypic.

A wildlife trust says gull numbers have been in freefall since the 1970s due to habitat loss.

NEWCOMER The ring-billed gull, native to North America, was first sighted in Ireland in 1979, near Belmullet.

"We don’t demonise the herring gull, they are part of life on the coast, trying to live and thrive like us all," he stressed. "But let us remember we are responsible not only for the protection ...

Author says gull species are amazingly adaptive, and the Great Lakes area is a perfect spot to find many of them.