Fun Facts About Seagulls
Fine dining
As we refer to them as 'Seagulls' you would expect to see these birds fishing the ocean and nesting on coastal cliffs. However, many are moving inland and taking up residence in built-up urban areas and often landfill sites. Here food is easy to steal and an abundance of human rubbish or abandoned food waste becomes an all-you-can-eat bird buffet. They are incredibly adaptable birds, so although they traditionally would eat molluscs, small fish like sardines, crabs and shrimps, even worms and insects, they will also dine on the chicks or eggs of other birds, feed on roadside carrion or a discarded takeaway if the opportunity arises. Overall, their preference is easily accessible food
Gull predators
One of the reasons seagulls are classed as pests to humans is their penchant for feeding frenzies. We've all been there, given our kid's ice cream, turned away and suddenly 100's of gulls appear from nowhere, squawking, fighting and working together to steal the ice cream or the child! They are habituated to humans and will confidently walk right up to us and beg for food. They are no longer afraid of us, in fact, they have very few predators. In the wild, hawks, eagles and falcons are known to catch gulls in mid-air which is why some pest controllers use them to deter seagulls while foxes and even weasels will attack accessible seagull nests and chicks.
Nesting communities
Once a seagull has a safe roost, likely high up on your roof, and a never-ending food source, what is there left to do but settle down and start a family? Breeding pairs will mate for life and once they have found their forever nest base, they will return every year to this perfect spot. Gulls can live up to 30 years or more, so if they are nesting on your roof, be prepared! Don't be surprised if they bring friends along, they have a collective intelligence and if a perfect spot is found, will let their mates know and build their nesting community. They even synchronise nesting so eggs hatch at the same time and chicks can be cared for altogether, therefore ensuring their survival!
Gulls and the law
Any nesting seagull in the UK is protected by law, in fact, several gull species such as Herring Gulls and Kittiwakes are on the UK Red List, due to their declining numbers in coastal areas. Any active nest can not be removed. Active means any nest being used or has eggs in or chicks, can not be destroyed until it is abandoned and the chicks have fledged. To learn more about the UK Law, take a look at The laws that affect pigeons and seagulls and you.
A year in the life of a seagull
If you want to know the best time of year to prepare your property for the annual seagull invasion, here are the key dates:
- February: Gulls return to the UK from their overwintering locations
- March to April: Nesting des res spots have been found and the first eggs are laid
- May to June: Main period of incubation, the adults will take turns on the nest for about 28 days before the chicks hatch and then the parents jointly care for their young
- July to August: Chicks will fledge and they will start to leave their nesting colonies and buddies
- September to January: All seagulls will have left the nesting site to holiday in their winter homes. Now is the time for action!
The best way to stop seagulls perching above the rooftops is to install specialist humane gull deterrents such as Defender® Chimney Pot Spikes. These simply stop gulls from being able to land on the open chimney pot use in conjunction with our Defender® Angled Ridge Bird Spikes or Defender® Curved Ridge Bird Spikes which fit on the ridge tiles. Once seagulls are moved from the ridge, they often abandon the building altogether. Phew!