| Summary: | This article presents a review of the breeding numbers and trends of three ‘smaller’ gull species breeding in Flanders, Belgium: Blackheaded Gull Larus ridibundus , Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus and Common Gull Larus canus . The emphasis is laid on the period 1994-2001. The Black-headed Gull is the most common breeding gull species in Flanders. Between 1994 and 2001, the Flemish breeding population fluctuated between 12.000 and more than 20.000 pairs. Since the beginning of the 1980’s, there is no clear trend and the populations seems to be quite stable, despite some short term fluctuations. The decline of breeding colonies in natural (heathland) habitat is fully compensated by the increase of breeding colonies on artificial (industrial) sites. The Mediterranean Gull is a relatively new breeding bird in Flanders (since 1964). Numbers rose very strong in the 1990s, resulting in a record number of 480 pairs in 1999. In 2000 and 2001 the Flemish breeding population reached about 300 pairs. The Flemish breeding population makes part of the adjacent population in the Dutch Delta-area, with a total breeding population for both areas of 1800 pairs in 2001. The Common Gull started breeding in Flanders in 1924 but until now, despite a slight increase in numbers, there hasn’t been a real breakthrough. In 2001, the Flemish population equals about 36-45 breeding pairs, most of which were found in the outer harbour of Zeebrugge.
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