Literally situated near the shore; in relation to birds referring to the group of aquatic or marine birds living within sight of the shore or neighbouring islands, of which many roost ashore (land-based birds). This separates them from offshore and pelagic birds (also listed) which prefer the waters of the open seas. Inshore birds include most cormorants and gulls and marine species of duck. They have geographical ranges which are essentially continental and easily interrupted by oceanic barriers (compare 'pelagic').