Slightly larger than a Black-headed Gull, with an all-black head in the breeding season. Adults have white wing-tips and underwings, younger birds have more wing markings. It has a large, slightly drooped beak, bright red when adult.

Mainly found along the east and south coasts of England. Most of the breeding population nest within Black-headed Gull colonies at coastal wetlands. More widespread in winter with some beaches in Norfolk and Kent attracting more than a hundred Mediterranean Gulls. Also found inland in small numbers wherever Black-headed and Common Gulls gather (especially in roosts on reservoirs).

All year round

Eats insects, fish, offal and carrion.

A very rare UK bird until the 1950s, it is widespread in winter and breeding in ever increasing numbers. Its recent UK breeding population of 110 pairs makes it an Amber List species.

The first VC55 record was of a summer plumaged adult at Rutland Water in 1980. It has now become a regular spring and autumn migrant with 20 to 35 records a year