Status and distribution Often considered conspecific with Yellow-legged Gull and formerly treated as a race of Herring Gull. Breeds from the Black and Caspian Seas to Kazakstan. Currently expanding range to the northwest and has bred in Poland and Germany.
Regular visitor in small numbers further west in Europe including south-east England, mainly in autumn-winter. Resident or dispersive with some moving considerable distances. In winter found throughout Black and Caspian Seas and in the eastern Mediterranean, a few reaching the northern Red Sea.
Vagrants recorded in Finland and Ireland.
Habitat Mainly coastal and rarely seen inland