1d-blackheaded gulls

Black-headed Gulls are very common in the Dutch delta in all months of the year.

The large colonies are a key element in the coastal ecosystem. Sandwich Terns f.i.

will only breed when there is a Black-headed Gull colony around and if so they will

settle in dense clusters amidst the gulls leaving the defence to the poor gulls which

will suffer great losses to marauding Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Mediterranean Gulls, Barnacle Geese, Red-breasted Mergansers, Tufted Ducks and

Gadwalls very much depend on the protection of the Black-headeds and even Avocets

and Common Terns who can perfectly fend for themselves like the Black-headeds to

serve on the front line.

1-blackheadedgulls- 2-bonapartegulls- 3-mediterraneangulls- 4-littlegulls 5-franklin'sgulls

37 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2CY 10052007 Stellendam,The Netherlands

38 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2CY 10052007 Stellendam,The Netherlands

39 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2CY 10052007 Stellendam,The Netherlands

40 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2CY 10052007 Stellendam,The Netherlands

41 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2CY 10052007 Stellendam,The Netherlands

42 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2CY 10052007 Stellendam,The Netherlands

43 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2CY 10052007 Stellendam,The Netherlands

44 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2CY 10052007 Stellendam,The Netherlands

45 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2CY 10052007 Stellendam,The Netherlands

46 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2CY 10052007 Stellendam,The Netherlands

47 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2CY 10052007 Stellendam,The Netherlands

48 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 2CY 10052007 Stellendam,The Netherlands