A very good discrption there Boss.
The largest being the Greater black backed Gull.
The Lesser Black Backed Gull.
The Herring Gull.
The Black headed Gull is at the moment frollocking on the north east coast at the moment and should be back around end of July - August.
The other one you may see is the Fulmar. never lands on the beach but does flap over Boland towers all of the time, about the same size as the Herring Gull and has short and stiffer wing patterns.
Hope thet helps.
Brian I'll think you'll find it's due to the recession.
Ian...