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Poorly documented. After breeding usually gathers in small flocks, occasionally in large groups of thousands, often associating with L. ridibundus and Black Terns (Chlidonias niger). W population winters along coasts, and slightly offshore, from Irish Sea and Baltic to Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas, and off NW Africa (Morocco); large numbers at Nile Delta. Rarely winters inland (e.g. L Turkana, Kenya). Peak migration past Calais (N France) in earl Nov. In Netherlands up to 10,000 birds, mainly immatures, present in autumn. W Siberian population migrates through Aral and Caspian Seas to the Mediterranean where some overlap with more westerly breeders. Movements of easternmost population uncertain; probably migrates to E China, since birds have been recorded in N China in winter. Origin of New World birds uncertain, and maybe endogenous breeders or transatlantic migrants; usually seen singly among flocks of other species, particularly L. philadelphia, but along Niagara frontier up to 10 noted in Sept and up to 25 in winter.   (del Hoyo J, Elliott A, Sargatal J (eds), 1996)

• digitised by GROMS, after del Hoyo J A Elliott; J Sargatal (eds) (1996) - www.hbw.com,
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