Larus fuscus fuscus (Linné 1758), Lesser Black-backed Gull (Lariidae)

Compiled by: Christof Herrmann, Henrik Skov & Wlodzimierz Meissner

1. Description of the Habitat/Autecology of the species

The nominat race (L. f. fuscus) breeds mainly in coastal areas of central and northern Baltic, with the biggest populations in Sweden and Finland, where they also breed inland. The species is omnivorous, and contrary to other large gulls in the Baltic it feeds only on natural prey.

2. Distribution, past and present

Central and northern Baltic constitutes the stronghold of the Baltic population of lesser black-backed gull.

3. Importance (Sub-regional, Baltic-wide, Global)

Range of L.f.fuscus covers the central and northern Baltic and northern Norway. Thus, the Baltic must be considered important to the subspecies. The main colonies in the Baltic are Stora and Lilla Karlsö, each with 100-150 pairs (Lif et al., 2005).

4. Status of threat/decline

The subspecies suffered declines throughout its Baltic range during the later half of 20^th century, however evidence of increases in since mid 1990’es (Lif et al., 2005).

5. Threat/decline factors

Several factors are considered important, and seemingly contributed interactively to the decline in the 20^th century:  inter-specific competition with other large larids, food-shortage in breeding areas and predation.

6. Options for improvements

Control of predators and Larus argentatus in breeding areas.

7. References

Lif, M., Hjernquist, M., Olsson, O. & H. Österblom. 2005. Long-term population trends in the Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus f. fuscus at Stora Karlsö and Lilla Karlsö, and initial results on breeding success. Ornis Svecica 15: 105-112.