Advice: Gulls
There are 11 difference species of gull found around the UK coastline and there are many more which are not gulls but look like them, for example the fulmer, Kittiwake, Terns and several more. Because of the on going decline in many of the gulls species the Herring Gull has now be placed on the Amber Conservation Status list by the RSPB. Although numbers in built up area do not seem to be declining, in many areas there are slow declines with occasional increases, but away from the seaside towns the number of gulls is showing a significant decline.
Gulls are some of the most dedicated parents you will find in the bird world. Gulls have been forced to adapt to urban life as their natural coastal habitats are being destroyed by humans coastal defences and cleansing of the cliff faces to remove their nesting sites. Thousands of birds used to nest between Brighton and Newhaven, now only a small colony of about 12 pairs of fulmars live at Newhaven as a result. As a result many of these gulls have adapted and now live on roof tops in the surrounding towns and villages.
All birds are protected under the Countryside and Wildlife Act during their nesting season including all gulls, crows, pigeons and doves.
Nesting Seagulls and the Law
WRAS will not touch or interfere with any nesting seagulls, their young, their nest or eggs, as to do so would be illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, unless:
- an adult or young seagull is sick, injured or orphaned
- a licence is obtained and there is a valid reason for interference
Seagull Consultancy Work
Regardless of the reason in which DEFRA or any other government body issues a license to disturb and interfere with nesting seagulls, WRAS rescuers will not undertake any work unless WRAS’s Rescue Co-ordinator is satisfied that the removal of the seagull young or eggs and/or nest is essential from a human health and safety aspect, and cannot wait until the young have flown. The young will only be removed if they are dependent on the nest. If the young are old enough to walk around and use other parts of the roof, in safety, away from where essential work is required, the young will be left on the roof but the nest removed.The person requesting the work will be expected to make a donation to the suggested value of £65 and agrees to pay all other expenses before the work is commenced.
Problem Seagulls - Dive bombing
WRAS does not believe that seagulls should be removed because they are dive bombing or causing an inconvenience to residents or users of a building. WRAS rescuers issue the following advice in such circumstances:
- use an umbrella to cover yourself whilst in the area affect by the gulls
- he use of sticks, rakes, brooms and other long handled objects to protect and frighten the seagulls is not advisable, as this will encourage the gulls to attack
- preventing the gulls from nesting is the only long term solution to the above problems
Crime relating to Seagulls
Any information relating to the illegal removal, killing or interference of seagulls should be past on to Sussex Police Wildlife Liaison team and also the RSPCA. WRAS volunteers do not undertake any action relating to information received unless asked to do so by Sussex Police or the RSPCA.
Five Stages of the Gulls Nesting Season
The gull nesting season is divided into five overlapping periods as follows.
1. Nesting Building/Laying of Eggs
This is the initial period, which starts around late May, but where nest are destroyed by weather conditions or by man, gulls may try again. During this period calls are received from people who do not want gulls nesting on their roof or under licence need urgent work undertaking on their roof.
2. Baby Seagull chicks/Fluffy chicks
As soon as chicks appear on roofs you start getting calls where the chicks has fallen off the roof. These should be replaced using the directions set out below. Very small chicks do need the warmth of their parents at night. After strong winds numerous calls are received about chicks falling off roofs.
3. Feathered Juveniles
As the feathers appear they start to follow their parents and attempt to fly. Even more calls are received about young gulls falling off roofs. Again, where possible these should be placed on a roof close to their original roof to get them off the ground.
4. Fledglings
Fledgling can be identified as those whose wing tips overlap just above the base of the tail. Ideally there should be a at least a 1cm overlap. Fledglings should be left alone even if on the ground unless injured or in a confined space which prevents them from flying. Fledglings causing problems from a health and safety point of view can be relocated to nearby beach frequented by gulls.
5. Gull Flying Accidents
The finial stage is when the fledglings are flying and getting used to their wings. This results in a variety of calls for dog attacked gulls, road casualties and found with a whole variety of injuries.
Is the young gull being fed?
Adult gulls do not feed their young as often as garden birds would feed their young. A blue tit may feed as often as every 20 minutes or more often. Seagulls feed 3-5 times a day - mainly in the early morning, late afternoon and evening depending on the temperature as adult gulls do not like flying during really hot weather. Frequently people believe that chicks and youngsters are not being fed, as they have not seen the parents come down to a young bird all day. However, very few people will actually sit and watch continuously from 4am through till 10pm to determine whether the parents are bring down food. If the parents are on the roof above and a youngster is on a lower roof, they will normally be coming down to feed still. Site visits are advisable in order to check the health of the bird especially if it is not acting in a lively and healthy manner.
Feeding Young Seagulls
Many people ask if they should start feeding young gulls placed back onto low roofs or those fallen into gardens. Feeding can frequently lead to the youngster being attacked by other adult gulls who want the food too. Other adult gulls can get aggressive towards youngsters which are not theirs. Feeding is not necessary, as the parent birds will feed them. If they are abandoned then they will need to be taken in for hand rearing.
Replacing a youngster back on a roof
Where a baby or young seagull falls off a roof and is unable to return to its parents on its own, it should be placed back onto the roof if:
- it is clear which nest and roof it has come from
- the bird has no obvious injures
- suitable safe equipment is available to return the young bird to the roof
- the young bird has not fallen off before. Where a young bird has fallen off twice and it is thought that the bird will fall again it should be taken in for hand rearing
... Or be placed onto a flat extension roof, another shallow low roof or garage roof as along as:
- the roof is close enough for the parents to easily find there young
- the roof is not encroaching on other seagulls rearing their young
- the baby seagull is not too young and not going to be too exposed
Every Spring and Autumn there is an increase in road casualties. Dusk is the key time when many wild animals and birds hunt or search for food. As dusk starts to fall during rush hours the casualties increase. The number of