Nature watch

If you’ve heard the raucous cries of gulls around the southern corner of Arlington Square, you should know that a pair of lesser black-backed gulls have nested on the roof of No. 22 for the last few years. And most years they have successfuly reared at least one chick. Our picture shows this year’s offspring lurking between the chimney pots, still in its juvenile plumage, and one of the proud parents. In winter, lesser black-backs spend their time near rivers, lakes, estuaries and the open ocean. But in the breeding season they make their nests on rocky islands or cliffs – or sometimes on rooftops. The Arlington youngster has now learned to fly and left the nest, but the adults will probably be around for a bit longer.