Seagulls

Seagulls

Seagulls are large birds and can range up to 68cm from bill to tail and have a wingspan up to 85cm. Although most refer to all gulls as being seagulls, and therefore assume that all species are 'pests', only three species are classed as pests.

These are as follows:-

a) Herring Gulls

b) Lesser Black-backed Gull

c) Greater Black-backed Gull.

The Herring Gull:- on average is 56cm in size. It has a pale grey back and wings with black and white wing tips and a red spot on its yellow bill. It's legs are usually pink.

The Lesser Black-backed Gull:- on average is 53cm in size. It has a grey to dark grey back and wings. It's legs are usually yellow or orange in colour.

The Great Black-backed Gull:- on average is 68cm in size. It has a black back and wings and pink legs.

Behaviour

More and more seagulls are moving into built up areas to nest. The main reason for this is that food sources are readily available both from people deliberately feeding them and the amount of takeaways and other food refuse strewn around roads and back streets.

Breeding pairs court in April and commence nest building from early May onwards. In towns the nests tend to be constructed from straw, grass, twigs, paper and any other material the gull can conveniently use. These nests can be large and if they are made of material accumulated over several years, they can become quite heavy. This means that if a breeding site is established, then the gulls will return year after year.

Life Cycle

Eggs are laid from early May onwards with two or three being the usual number. The eggs take about three weeks to hatch which means that the first chicks are seen around the beginning of June.

The chicks grow quickly and are quite active which means that they often fall from nests. In towns this often means that they are unable to return to their nests. Small chicks will die if they are not returned, but the larger chicks will be protected by their parents and fed on the ground.

The chicks generally fledge in August and then take about three years to reach maturity when they in turn will start to breed. The life expectancy for gulls can be up to 20 years.

Gulls are social creatures and once roof nesting gets a hold, other gulls will start to move into an area and nest on adjacent buildings, until there numbers build up sufficiently that a colony is established.

		Seagulls

		Seagulls are large birds and can range up to 68cm from bill to tail and have a wingspan up to 85cm. Although most refer to all gulls as being seagulls, and therefore assume that all species are 'pests', only three species are classed as pests. These are as follows:- a) Herring Gulls b) Lesser Black-backed Gull c) Greater Black-backed Gull. The Herring Gull:- on average is 56cm in size. It has a pale grey back and wings with black and white wing tips and a red spot on its yellow bill. It's legs are usually pink. The Lesser Black-backed Gull:- on average is 53cm in size. It has a grey to dark grey back and wings. It's legs are usually yellow or orange in colour. The Great Black-backed Gull:- on average is 68cm in size. It has a black back and wings and pink legs.

		Behaviour More and more seagulls are moving into built up areas to nest. The main reason for this is that food sources are readily available both from people deliberately feeding them and the amount of takeaways and other food refuse strewn around roads and back streets. Breeding pairs court in April and commence nest building from early May onwards. In towns the nests tend to be constructed from straw, grass, twigs, paper and any other material the gull can conveniently use. These nests can be large and if they are made of material accumulated over several years, they can become quite heavy. This means that if a breeding site is established, then the gulls will return year after year. Life Cycle Eggs are laid from early May onwards with two or three being the usual number. The eggs take about three weeks to hatch which means that the first chicks are seen around the beginning of June. The chicks grow quickly and are quite active which means that they often fall from nests. In towns this often means that they are unable to return to their nests. Small chicks will die if they are not returned, but the larger chicks will be protected by their parents and fed on the ground. The chicks generally fledge in August and then take about three years to reach maturity when they in turn will start to breed. The life expectancy for gulls can be up to 20 years. Gulls are social creatures and once roof nesting gets a hold, other gulls will start to move into an area and nest on adjacent buildings, until there numbers build up sufficiently that a colony is established.