Herrin Maa
Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia
 adult
| |
| Common Name: | Herring Gull |
|---|---|
| Shetland Name: | Herrin Maa in some places refered to as Scories
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| Scientific Name: | Larus argentatus |
| Norwegian Name: | Gråmåse |
| Swedish Name: | Gråtrut |
| German Name: | Silbermöwe |
| Dutch Name: | Zilvermeuw |
| French Name: | Goéland argenté |
| Best Places: | Lerwick rooftops and traffic lights |
| Best Time: | all year round |
The Herring gull is the commonest coastal gull on the British isles. Looks rather like Common gull, with similar black and white wing-tips, but is much larger, paler above and has a havier yellow bill with a red spot and flesh-pink legs (northern variant). Best distinguished from Lesser Black-backed gull by its paler grey of the upper parts.
Habitat: Coasts, estuaries, open waters and fields, sometimes far inland. Breeds normally in colonies on cliffs and island beaches, occasionally in marshes.
In recent years the herring gull has become a serious pest in coastal towns. With the downturn in fishing and the lack of fish scraps, most gulls, but particularly the herring gull, have become serious scavengers, and have created havoc by tearing open refuse sacks.
Their scavenging habits have earned them the nickname of "Flying Rat" on the northern German coast.
