The Great Gull Getaway
By Rhian Davies · 6 November 2026
Have you noticed it has been a bit quieter in town? That’s due to some of Dumfries’s famous residents heading south for the winter. Where they all go might surprise you.
You may have noticed fewer chip thefts and dive bombings the last few weeks, as some of Dumfries’s most raucous residents move to winter resorts.
The gulls of Dumfries are made up of a few different species. Nesting around the town in summer tend to be Lesser Black-backed Gulls, as well as Herring Gulls. These two are the classic “seagulls” we often picture: big, white and grey/black, with a hefty yellow bill.
Once they’ve finished nesting on our urban cliffs, they tend to leave for pastures new. So where do they go, and which gulls are still here? Overall, there are fewer numbers around the town but the picture isn’t straightforward.
Herring Gulls can be found all year round along coast and estuaries, but travel further inland in winter in search of good places to eat, such as rubbish tips or town parks. Like commuters, they often head to these inland feeding sites in the morning, then back to the coast to roost in the evening. Some are also just here for winter, to escape the colder weather of mainland Europe.
Lesser Black-backed Gulls always used to migrate south, although recently have begun following a similar pattern to Herring Gulls. There are still many though who fly to the coast of southern Spain, Portugal, and as far as north Africa. Thanks to GPS tracking they’ve even been found to follow the M6 and stop off at service stations to refuel on the way!
