Understanding the Visitation Aspect of Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) in the Long Period at Nakdong Estuary, Busan, Republic of Korea

Abstract

This study analyzes data in the first half of 1990 (May, 1989 - April, 1993) and mid-2000 (May, 2002 - April, 2006) to understand long-term status of black-headed gulls (Larus ridibundus) in the estuary of the Nakdong River under rapid changes. During the period (May, 1989 - April, 1993 and May, 2002 - April, 2003 for a total of 8 years), a total of 201,519 individuals of Laridae were discovered at the estuary and the number of the black-headed gulls (Larus ridibundus) was 32,538 (16.15%). Monthly average of the black-headed gulls showed that there were just a small number of individuals arrived in July and August, but the number increased from September, reached the highest in April for the first term (1989 - 1993). The second term showed that some individuals were discovered in summer (June - August), then the number increased from October and reached the peak in April. Monthly average in the latter period marked 5.7 times higher than that of the former. In the aspect of individuals, there is a significant difference between the two period (P<0.05) and it is discovered that the number of individuals in 2000s (Mean= 6923.50) was higher than that of 1990s (Mean=1211.00). Comparing individuals of gulls, herring gulls (Larus argentatus) and black-headed gulls for 8 years, it was found out that the herring gulls (Larus argentatus) showed the largest number (average=5313.13), followed by the black-headed gulls (average=4067.25) and gulls (average= 1207.63). The fluctuation on individuals of black-headed gulls in the mid-2000s (May, 2005 - April, 2006) recorded the average number of 472.75, then 113.50 in DMD, 244.00 in JJ and SJD, 635.25 in SJ and DY, 727.50 in LUD and 643.50 in USD, showing significant differences among regions (P<0.05).