Gull Roost at Priorslee Lake

Recently a question was asked as to whether there was a Gull Roost at Priorslee Lake.

Here is an answer from our regular contributor and co-founder of "Friends of Priorslee Lake" Ed Wilson:

Gulls DO roost at the lake in the winter but it is complex.

Recently mainly Black-headed Gulls have roosted: the larger gulls come in mainly after c.10:00 when they have fed on the tip and wash and loaf until heading off after 14:00

More large gulls fly over heading E / NE in the afternoon and these sometimes stop to wash and generally move on as well

The Black-headed Gulls tend to fly off early and return late, though birds are present all day

Some days large numbers of large gulls do stay and I am not entirely sure why / why not. Certainly they can be spooked by people / dog-walkers: tripods too near are BAD new! Today it was an Army tracked APC under test that spooked them

Historically Iceland Gulls have arrived after 15:00 and left to the E when it is almost dark and I doubt they went far, but ... Last winter they were easiest in the middle of the day

(Ed Wilson, FoPL)