Numbers of Great Black-backed Gull remained relatively stable between the 1969–70 Census and Seabird 2000 (1998–2002), with a very shallow decline of 11% (JNCC 2022). Since Seabird 2000, annual monitoring suggests that this shallow decline may have continued although this is uncertain due to wide confidence limits and the recent trend may be stable: the latest Census results (2015–2021) may help clarify the trend once they are available (JNCC 2022). The Great Black-backed Gull remains almost exclusively a coastal-breeding species, although a very small number of pairs have been recorded at inland colonies (Balmer et al. 2013).

There has been a substantial 30% range contraction in Ireland since the 1968–72 Breeding Atlas, though much of this loss occurred between 1968–72 and 1988–91. A recent contraction is apparent in western Scotland but is outweighed by gains elsewhere in Britain, especially along the English south coast. Since the 1988–91 Breeding Atlas there has been a 7% increase in the number of 10-km squares occupied in Britain & Ireland.

Bird Atlas distribution change maps show how bird distributions have changed through time. Coloured upward-pointing triangles show places apparently colonised over the period; grey downward-pointing triangles show places apparently vacated. Shading show places occupied.

Click the map to enlarge,
or view it on Bird Atlas Mapstore.

Click the map to enlarge,
or view it on Bird Atlas Mapstore.

Great Black-backed Gulls are recorded throughout the year.

Weekly pattern of occurrence

The graph shows when the species is present in the UK, with taller bars indicating a higher likelihood of encountering the species in appropriate regions and habitats.

Relative frequency by habitat

The graph shows the habitats occupied in the breeding season, with the most utilised habitats shown at the top. Bars of similar size indicate the species is equally likely to be recorded in those habitats.