Best time to see: all year

Key facts

Very large gull with black back and pink legs

Habitat: coastal marshes, estuaries and sea – not as common inland as other gulls

Resident, breeding in N. and W. Britain, but most common in winter when visitors arrive from northern Europe

Recognition

Massive gull with black back, thick yellow bill with red spot and pink legs; 65 cm

Usually over sea and coast, but penetrates inland in winter, to rubbish tips and reservoirs

Eats other seabirds and their young, offal and rubbish