Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus), Herring Gull in background, Coastal Archipelago Park of the South Coast ("Sørlandet") of Norway, Store Torungen
The Lesser Black-backed Gull is one of five breeding gull species on the coast of Sørlandet. It can be distinguished from the other the similar sized but light grey Herring Gull by its yellow feet and a dark grey (black) mantel. The Great Black-backed Gull is larger and has pink feet. The Lesser Black-backed Gull is the only gull, which leaves Norway to winter in Southern Europe and Africa. The Coastal Archipelago Park of the South Coast ("Sørlandet") of Norway covers an area of the Skagerak coast between Grenland in Telemark and Lindesnes in West Agder, including many hundreds of islands and skerries. The Sørland coast is one of the most important recreation areas of Norway and hosts a unique coastal ecosystem with special habitats and a rich biodiversity. Therefore tourism is regulated accordingly with special nature reserves and bird sanctuaries in place. Presently discussed are plans to develop a national park, and within Norway's plan to establish 26 marine protected areas (MPAs), "Transect Skagerak" is planned as a 692km2 MPA outside of Arendal and the islands Tromøy and Hisøy, reaching out from shallow to several hundred meter deep sea.
Year: 2016
From album: Raet National Park
Photographer: Peter Prokosch