4-little gulls

4 Little Gull Larus minutus

In spring the occurrence of Little Gulls in the Rhine-Meuse delta of the SW Netherlands

is highly dependant of strong NE winds in April and May. The strong easterlies

force the migratory stream of Little Gulls through the middle of Europe westwards.

The gulls while on their way towards the breeding areas in Eastern Europe may then

reach the large fresh water lakes formed after the estuary was cut off from the North Sea.

The gulls feed on chironomidae in the company of marsh terns. In some years one or

two pairs of these gorgeous birds remain and nest on the edge of Black-headed Gull colonies.

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

01 Little Gull Larus minutus 2CY 220407 1 Philipsdam,The Netherlands

02 Little Gull Larus minutus 2CY 220407 2 Philipsdam,The Netherlands

03 Little Gull Larus minutus 2CY 220407 Philipsdam,The Netherlands

04 Little Gull Larus minutus 2CY and adult 220407 Philipsdam,The Netherlands

05 Little Gull Larus minutus adult 25042007 1 Philipsdam,The Netherlands

06 Little Gull Larus minutus adult 22042007 Philipsdam,The Netherlands

07 Little Gull Larus minutus adult 25042007 Philipsdam,The Netherlands

08 Little Gull Larus minutus adult 25042007 2 Philipsdam,The Netherlands

09 Little Gull Larus minutus adult 28042007 1 Philipsdam,The Netherlands

10 Little Gull Larus minutus adult 28042007 Philipsdam,The Netherlands

11. Little Gull Larus minutus 2CY 10082007 Stellendam,The Netherlands

12. Little Gull Larus minutus 2CY 10082007 Stellendam,The Netherlands