Herring Gulls Larus Argentatus Research Articles

Effects of an Arctic Fox Visit to a Low Arctic Seabird Colony

A visit by an arctic fox ( Alopex lagopus ) to Funk Island, Newfoundland, during 2009 had a negative impact on the breeding performance of five of the nine breeding seabird species. Species that nest in burrows (Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica ) or on the ground (northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialis , great black-backed Larus marinus and herring gulls Larus argentatus ) did not fledge any offspring in 2009, and common murres ( Uria aalge ) at this colony, the largest for this species in North America, experienced an estimated 4.9% (~19 712.4 breeding pairs) reduction in the number of nesting birds. Later-than-normal persistence of Arctic sea ice on the Newfoundland-Labrador Shelf in 2009 likely provided the fox access to the colony up until late April, which coincided with the seabirds’ return. The persistent predation threat near the onset of breeding likely resulted in large-scale abandonment of breeding attempts by vulnerable seabirds.

Current concentrations and spatial and temporal trends in mercury in Great Lakes Herring Gull eggs, 1974–2009

Current concentrations and spatial and temporal trends of total mercury (Hg) were assessed in eggs of the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) over the period 1974-2009 at 15 sites in the Great Lakes: 2-3 sites per lake and one site in each of 3 connecting channels. Current (2009) concentrations ranged from 0.064 μg/g (wet weight) at Chantry Island (Lake Huron) to 0.246 μg/g at Middle Island (Lake Erie). There were significant inter-colony differences in mean Hg concentrations (2005-2009). Mercury concentrations at 14 of 15 sites declined from 23 to 86% between when it was first measured (usually 1974) and 2009. Declining temporal trends over the entire period (1974-2009) were significant at 10 of the 15 sites. On the other hand, there were no significant trends in mercury over the last 15 years. In the early years, declines of Hg in Herring Gull eggs tracked those in Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) in most Great Lakes. More recently, declines in gull eggs were more evident than in smelt and may be partially explained by temporal changes in the gull diet. When gull Hg data were adjusted for temporal changes in the gull diet, as inferred from stable nitrogen isotope values in eggs, significant declines in egg mercury levels were found only at 4 of 15 sites. Overall, Hg concentrations have declined in Great Lakes Herring Gull eggs over the period 1974-2009 but changes in the gull diet may be contributing, in part, to those declines. Examination of contaminant temporal trends in multiple indicator species will ensure accurate inferences regarding contaminant availability in the environment.

Nesting Density is an Important Factor Affecting Chick Growth and Survival in the Herring Gull

Abstract. The causes and consequences of coloniality in seabirds, and larids in particular, have received extensive study. Here, we use the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) as a model organism to investigate the effect of nest density on chicks' growth rate and survival. On Appledore Island, Maine, Herring Gulls nest both in dense subcolonies and in more isolated situations, affording a unique opportunity for comparison of reproductive success of pairs nesting in both contexts on the same island. Chicks reared in dense subcolonies grew at a rate significantly higher than that of those reared in more isolated settings. Using mark-recapture analysis, we found that a chick's expected survival is dependent on hatch weight, hatch date, hatch order, and context (nest in dense or loose subcolony). The first chick to hatch in each nest had a significantly greater probability of surviving to fledging than the last-hatched chick. Last-hatched chicks had a significantly greater chance of survival from hatching to fle...

Phenotypic characteristics and moult commencement in breeding Dutch Herring Gulls Larus argentatus & Lesser Black-Backed Gulls L. fuscus

We describe ten phenotypic characteristics and moult commencement in an inland colony of Herring Gulls Larus argentatus and Lesser Black-backed Gulls L. fuscus in The Netherlands. All features were checked for difference between sexes and, when possible, known-aged birds were described. Both taxa exhibited wide variation in single characteristics, most apparent in the range of upperpart grey tone, iris speckling and the pattern on P10 and P9. Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls in this colony showed considerable overlap with birds from Scandinavia and from Britain, which justifies the name ‘Dutch intergrade’, sometimes used for breeding Lesser Black-backed Gulls in The Netherlands.

A review of the status of the Herring Gull Larus argentatus in Spain

The Herring Gull Larus argentatus is considered a regular but scarce visitor to Spain, but its detailed status is uncertain. Here I present a compilation of published (primarily annual bird reports) and unpublished information (internet forums, direct communications by local ornithologists, ringing recoveries) to clarify the distribution and numbers of Herring Gulls in Spain, and their origins. More detailed information on age composition and phenology is presented for Asturias (NW Spain), perhaps the region where the species is most studied. According to ring recoveries (n = 43), the majority of Herring Gulls visiting Spain belong to the subspecies L. a. argenteus (mainly from the British Isles), with only 7% coming from breeding areas of the Nordic subspecies L. a. argentatus. Most observations occur in autumn and winter, being scarcer in spring and summer, and numbers vary between years. Two-thirds of birds recorded were in their first two years of life, with adults comprising only a quarter of the total. Ringing recoveries suggest Herring Gulls were more common in Spain 30+ years ago than at present. Data from winter censuses in Asturias between 2002 and 2007 gave a mean proportion of 1.06% Herring Gulls amongst the Yellow-legged Gull L. michahellis contingent. It is estimated that between 250 and 400 Herring Gulls are present in Asturias in mid January, and between 500 and 700 in the whole of Spain at the time of the winter censuses. There are two possible but unconfirmed attempts of breeding.

Assessment of Blue Mussel Mytilus edulis Fisheries and Waterbird Shellfish-predator Management in the Danish Wadden Sea

We assessed the blue mussel Mytilus edulis fishery management scheme introduced in 1994 in the Danish Wadden Sea that regulate fishing vessels, fishery quota, set-aside for mussel-eating birds and established zones closed to mussel fishery. The results showed (i) a reduction in the blue mussel biomass and mussel bed areas in zones closed to fishery, (ii) decrease in eiders Somateria mollissima numbers and increase or stable numbers for oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus and herring gull Larus argentatus and (iii) that energy estimations based on ecological food requirements for the mussel-eating birds should be at least three times larger, than the amount set-aside in the mussel management scheme. It is concluded that the mussel management scheme had been unable to stabilize or increase the blue mussel stocks and to secure stable or increasing numbers for all target bird species. Thus, it is recommended to revise the present blue mussel management scheme in the Danish Wadden Sea, to continue and improve mussel stock and bird surveys, and to consider novel studies of the mussel-eating birds' energetics for improved set-aside estimates and future assessments.

Investigation of spatial trends and neurochemical impacts of mercury in herring gulls across the Laurentian Great Lakes

Herring gulls ( Larus argentatus) bioaccumulate mercury (Hg) but it is unknown whether they are exposed at levels of neurological concern. Here we studied brain tissues from gulls at five Great Lakes colonies and one non-Great Lakes colony during spring of 2001 and 2003. Total brain Hg concentrations ranged from 0.14 to 2.0 μg/g (dry weight) with a mean of 0.54 μg/g. Gulls from Scotch Bonnet Island, on the easternmost edge of the Great Lakes, had significantly higher brain Hg than other colonies. No association was found between brain Hg concentration and [3H]-ligand binding to neurochemical receptors (N-methyl- d-aspartate, muscarinic cholinergic, nicotinic cholinergic) or nicotinic receptor α-7 relative mRNA expression as previously documented in other wildlife. In conclusion, spatial trends in Hg contamination exist in herring gulls across the Great Lakes basin, and herring gulls accumulate brain Hg but not at levels associated with sub-clinical neurochemical alterations.

TiMixed clutches at seabird colonies in west Scotland 1996–2009tle

In counts of gulls, terns, wildfowl and waders breeding on about 100 small islands along the mainland coast of west Scotland during 1996–2009, 123 clutches containing the eggs of two species (‘mixed clutches’) were found among 69,775 clutches of 20 species (0.18%). The annual percentage varied between 0.09% and 0.33%. Most (89%) mixed clutches contained only one egg of one of the species. The 123 mixed clutches involved 13 species, 19 species-pairs and at least 31 permutations of guest and host species. The most frequent species-pairs were Common Gull Larus canus and Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, Herring Gull Larus argentatus and Common Eider Somateria mollissima, and Common Gull and Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus, these together accounting for 54% of cases. Sixteen species-pairs had been recorded in an earlier study in 1990–95, and a further six were found in 1996–2009: Common Eider and Mallard Anas platyrhynchos (4 mixed clutches), Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus (3), Common Tern Sterna hirundo and Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea (2), Canada Goose Branta canadensis and Common Eider (2), Common Eider and Greylag Goose Anser anser (1), and Canada Goose and Greylag Goose (1). The appearance of goose eggs in mixed clutches reflected large increases in breeding numbers of both species in the area. The most frequent guest species were Eurasian Oystercatcher and Common Eider and the most frequent hosts were Common Gull and Herring Gull. Mixed clutches probably arise from attempted egg parasitism. There are records of chicks from guest eggs being reared successfully in some closely related species-pairs, but other species-pairs seem incompatible.

10.1007/s11184-008-1009-5

The results of regression and correlation analyses of long-term data (1971–2005) on the dates of arrival of 16 bird species to the Il’men State Nature Reserve (the Southern Urals) show that they have not changed in most of these birds, unlike in many countries of Europe and North America. This is explained primarily by the absence of any significant trends in the dynamics of spring air temperatures in the study region. Only the herring gull Larus argentatus and the lapwing Vanellus vanellus have shown a significant tendency to arrive earlier, while the garganey Anas querquedula has shown a tendency to arrive on later dates in the past two decades. Nevertheless, interannual fluctuations in the dates of arrival are well manifested in both early arriving species wintering in Europe and late-arriving species wintering in Africa. These fluctuations largely depend on temperature conditions in spring. As a rule, almost all species studied—from waterbirds to passerines—appear in the Il’men Reserve earlier in years with early and warm springs than in cold years. Hence, spring weather is the key factor determining the dates of arrival of migratory birds to the study region.

Morphological and Genetic Patterns of Hybridization of Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) and Glaucous Gulls (L. hyperboreus) in Iceland

ABSTRACT. Recent hybridization has been reported between the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) and Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus; the larger of the species) in Iceland, after the arrival of Herring Gulls around 1925. We used samples of both species from various locations in Iceland and from three periods spanning >40 years. To analyze the nature of hybridization and the extent of introgression between the species, we compared morphological variation using genetic information based on microsatellite and mtDNA data. Both comparisons of single traits and multivariate analysis pointed to hybridization and introgression. Variation in genetic markers and morphological traits revealed two distinct groups, connected by a number of intermediates. A discrepancy in classification based on genetic or morphological information revealed introgression. Variation within each species reflected the effect of hybridization; for example, individuals with less pigmentation (i.e., more hyperboreus-like) tend to be larger. The...

Immunoelectrophoretical comparison of sera from Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) (Aves).

Sera from Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) were compared by crossed immunoelectrophoresis with intermediated gel technique. No differences in antigenicity were revealed with respect to the reactions of serum proteins with their homologous and heterologous antisera produced in rabbits.

Formation of a bird community on a new island, Surtsey, Iceland

The present paper summarizes bird observations from Surtsey, iceland since the formation of the island in 1963 until 2008. Continuous observations were maintained in the early years of the island; in spring and autumn 1967–1971 and summers 1970–1973. Since then much of the bird observations are incidental by various scientists and bird watchers visiting the island for a limited period. Different aspects of the bird fauna are examined, the at-sea bird community, vagrants, migrant species, and winter birds, while emphasis is placed on the formation of the breeding bird community. With increasing numbers of breeding species and size of breeding populations as the years passed more structured census of the breeders was needed. Hence whole island censuses were organized in 1990 and 2003. Ringing has been carried out on five occasions. in total 91 bird species have been recorded on or offshore from the island. The first birds started breeding in 1970, Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle and Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis. A total of fourteen species have since bred on the island. Four species of large gulls breed (mostly in one colony); Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus (bred first in 1974), Herring Gull Larus argentatus (1981), Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus (~1985), and Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus (1993). The colony, starting to form in 1984, has been particularly important for furthering the development of plant and invertebrate communities. Through the fertilizing agency complete vegetation cover is now found in the oldest part of the gull colony. This development has paved the way for terrestrial birds to start breeding; Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis (1996), Greylag Goose Anser anser (~2001) and Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis (~2003). other breeding species are kittiwake Rissa tridactyla (1975) and White Wagtail Motacilla alba (~2003), but Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea (1975) has not bred since 1978. in 1990 the island had 316 breeding pairs of six species. in 2003 eleven species bred on the island with a total of about 850 breeding pairs. After 2003 two more species have started breeding, Common Puffin Fratercula arctica (2004) and Raven Corvus corax (2008). Surtsey island was entered on the UNESCo World Heritage list in 2008, not the least for the long history of research and monitoring of various aspects of the island’s natural history. As the breeding bird fauna develops a structured bird monitoring program becomes the more important. Recommendations on how this should be carried out are presented in the paper.

Health of Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) in Relation to Breeding Location in the Early 1990s. III. Effects on the Bone Tissue

Health effects associated with the Great Lakes environment were assessed in adult herring gulls (Larus argentatus) in the early 1990s, including the size and quality of their bones. Femurs were excised from 140 individuals from 10 colonies distributed throughout the Great Lakes and 2 reference colonies in Lake Winnipeg (freshwater) and the Bay of Fundy (marine). Femurs of gulls from the Great Lakes differed from the freshwater or marine reference for 9 of 12 variables of size, composition, and strength assessed using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and biomechanical testing. Femurs of Great Lakes gulls were significantly smaller in length (−2.9%), periosteal circumference (−2.4%), and cross-sectional area (−5.4%) than freshwater reference birds. Femurs of the Great Lakes gulls had a lower significant cortical bone mineral content (−8.1%) and density (−2%) than the marine reference. A significant increase in the amount the bone could bend before it broke (+34%) and the energy required to break it (+44%) and a significant decrease (−16.3%) in stiffness during three-point biomechanical bending test were also detected in Great Lakes versus the freshwater gulls. These differences are indicative of impaired mineralization. When divided into high and low 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxicity equivalent (TCDD-TEQ) colonies, the amount the bone could bend before it broke and the energy required to break it were significantly higher in the high TEQ colonies, but not high polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) colonies. Breeding location and dietary choices of Great Lakes herring gulls in the early 1990s resulted in modulations of physiological processes that affected the size, mineralization, and biomechanical properties of bone.

Characterization of Escherichia coli populations from gulls, landfill trash, and wastewater using ribotyping

Due to their opportunistic and gregarious nature, gulls may be important reservoirs and vectors for anthropogenically derived fecal pathogens in coastal areas. We used ribotyping, a genotypic bacterial source tracking method, to compare populations of Escherichia coli among herring gulls Larus argentatus, great black-backed gulls L. marinus, wastewater, and landfill trash in New Hampshire and Maine, USA. Concentrations of E. coli in gull feces varied widely among individuals, but were generally high (6.0 x 10(1) to 2.5 x 10(9) g(-1) wet weight). Of 39 E. coli isolates from L. argentatus, 67% had banding patterns that were > or = 90% similar to those from wastewater and trash, whereas only 39% of 36 L. marinus isolates exhibited > or = 90% similarity to these sources. Strains of E. coli from gulls matched (> or = 90% similarity) more strains from wastewater (39% matching) than from trash (15% matching). E. coli isolates from L. marinus feces exhibited a greater diversity of banding patterns than did isolates from L. argentatus. There were more unique E. coli banding patterns in trash samples than in wastewater, and higher diversity indices in the former compared to the latter. These findings suggest that both species of gulls, especially L. argentatus, obtain fecal bacteria from wastewater and landfill trash, which they may transport to recreational beaches and waters. Our results also indicate that E. coli populations may vary widely between gull species, and between the anthropogenic habitats that they frequent, i.e. landfills and wastewater treatment facilities.

Molecular characterization of Giardia intestinalis haplotypes in marine animals: variation and zoonotic potential.

Giardia intestinalis is a microbial eukaryotic parasite that causes diarrheal disease in humans and other vertebrates worldwide. The negative effect on quality of life and economics caused by G. intestinalis may be increased by its potential status as a zoonosis, or a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. The zoonotic potential of G. intestinalis has been implied for over 2 decades, with human-infecting genotypes (belonging to the 2 major subgroups, Assemblages A and B) occurring in wildlife and domesticated animals. There are recent reports of G. intestinalis in shellfish, seals, sea lions and whales, suggesting that marine animals are also potential reservoirs of human disease. However, the prevalence, genetic diversity and effect of G. intestinalis in marine environments and the role that marine animals play in transmission of this parasite to humans are relatively unexplored. Here, we provide the first thorough molecular characterization of G. intestinalis in marine vertebrates. Using a multi-locus sequencing approach, we identify human-infecting G. intestinalis haplotypes of both Assemblages A and B in the fecal material of dolphins, porpoises, seals, herring gulls Larus argentatus, common eiders Somateria mollissima and a thresher shark Alopias vulpinus. Our results indicate that G. intestinalis is prevalent in marine ecosystems, and a wide range of marine hosts capable of harboring zoonotic forms of this parasite exist. The presence of G. intestinalis in marine ecosystems raises concerns about how this disease might be transmitted among different host species.

Hybridization of glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus) and herring gull (Larus argentatus) in Iceland: mitochondrial and microsatellite data.

Large white-headed gulls provide an interesting group of birds for studies of hybridization. The group is composed of 20 species of recent origin, often with weak reproductive barriers. Here we report the results from a study on the glaucous gull Larus hyperboreus, an Arctic species which has been breeding in Iceland for centuries, and the herring gull Larus argentatus which has a wide distribution in Europe but colonized Iceland in 1920s. Previous studies, based on morphological variation indicated hybridization between the two species in Iceland, have been questioned as it may just reflect variation within the species. Here we evaluate whether hybridization has occurred between the two species in Iceland by studying variation in microsatellites and mtDNA. The analysis is based on feathers taken from wings sampled in Iceland over a period of 40 years. The results are compared with samples obtained from East Greenland and published sequences of samples obtained throughout Europe. The genetic analysis reveals a distinctive grouping of the two species, although they present a shallow genealogy and an extensive sharing of the genetic variants between the two species. Several individuals show admixture for molecular markers, which may result from an incomplete lineage sorting although geographical patterns of both mtDNA haplotypes and microsatellites strongly indicate a recent hybridization in Iceland.

Survival of Adult Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) from a Lake Ontario Colony Over Two Decades of Environmental Change

Abstract We estimated annual survival probabilities of color-banded adult Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) breeding in a colony on the Canadian shore of Lake Ontario, between 1981 and 1984, and between 1993 and 1998. During the study, major changes occurred in prey fish availability, fish-eating bird abundance, and organochlorine contaminant exposure. We used capture-mark-recapture models and an information-theoretic approach to model selection to explore the importance of indices for these environmental variables and the role of year and sex as exploratory effects. In our models, year but not sex acquired strong support suggesting important annual variation in our apparent survival (survival confounded by permanent emigration) and encounter probabilities. The arithmetic mean of our model-averaged apparent survival probabilities provided an estimate of 0.91 (0.02 SE), and four out of the seven estimates were high for the species (≥0.93). Our model-averaged estimates suggested that apparent survival declin...

Influence of a contaminated fish diet on germline expanded‐simple‐tandem‐repeat mutation frequency in mice

Herring gulls (Larus argentatus) in polluted areas on the North American Great Lakes were previously shown to have elevated germline mutation frequencies at minisatellite DNA loci. Airborne or dietary contaminants likely caused induced mutations, but the importance of each exposure type was unknown. Follow-up experiments with lab mice determined that air pollution significantly induced germline mutations; however, an evaluation of mutations induced by the diet of herring gulls has not yet been conducted. To address this issue, we fed mice a high-fish diet (58% wet mass) of the most common prey species for herring gulls nesting in Hamilton Harbour, a polluted industrial area on Lake Ontario. We bred the mice and screened pedigrees for germline mutations at expanded-simple-tandem-repeat (ESTR) DNA loci. Mutation frequencies were compared to those in a reference group that was fed fish from Atlantic Canada, and a control group that was fed commercial chow. Germline mutation frequencies were highest in mice fed contaminated fish, but were only marginally or not significantly affected by diet treatment. Statistical power to detect differences among treatment groups was low, and the effect of diet may have more clearly emerged if larger sample sizes were available. Levels of organic pollutants in the fish from Hamilton Harbour were higher than those from Atlantic Canada, but their ability to induce ESTR mutations is unknown. Our findings suggest that a contaminated fish diet may contribute to the elevated germline mutation frequencies observed previously in gulls at this site, but air pollution is likely a more important route of exposure.

An Evaluation of Techniques to Control Problem Bird Species on Landfill Sites

Birds feeding on landfill sites cause problems in terms of nuisance to neighbors, flight safety, a threat to public health, and affecting the day to day site operation. A number of control measures exist to deter problem species; however, research into their effectiveness across sites and for multiple species has been limited. We use a modeling approach in order to assess the effectiveness of nine techniques--pyrotechnics, hand-held distress calls, static distress calls, blank ammunition, a combination of blank and lethal use of ammunition, the use of falcons, the use of hawks, wailers and helium-filled bird-scaring kites --at deterring three commonly recorded species--the Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus), the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) and the Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)--from six landfill sites across the United Kingdom. The use of distress calls, falconry, and combinations of lethal and nonlethal use of ammunition were the most effective techniques for initially deterring birds from these sites. However, when habituation is considered, there is a clear difference between techniques such as falconry, which have a lethal aspect and may act to reinforce the deterrence, and the use of techniques such as distress calls, which do not. However there are problems related to legislation and public perception when lethal techniques are used.

Has recent climate warming affected the dates of bird arrival to the Il℉men Reserve in the Southern Urals?

The results of regression and correlation analyses of long-term data (1971–2005) on the dates of arrival of 16 bird species to the Il’men State Nature Reserve (the Southern Urals) show that they have not changed in most of these birds, unlike in many countries of Europe and North America. This is explained primarily by the absence of any significant trends in the dynamics of spring air temperatures in the study region. Only the herring gull Larus argentatus and the lapwing Vanellus vanellus have shown a significant tendency to arrive earlier, while the garganey Anas querquedula has shown a tendency to arrive on later dates in the past two decades. Nevertheless, interannual fluctuations in the dates of arrival are well manifested in both early arriving species wintering in Europe and late-arriving species wintering in Africa. These fluctuations largely depend on temperature conditions in spring. As a rule, almost all species studied—from waterbirds to passerines—appear in the Il’men Reserve earlier in years with early and warm springs than in cold years. Hence, spring weather is the key factor determining the dates of arrival of migratory birds to the study region.