Gull decline (1 Viewer)

[Richard D]

BBC News - Seagull species in serious decline, say experts

Seagull species in serious decline, say experts

The decrease is because of the loss of nesting habitat and lack of food availability, the RSPB says.

www.bbc.com

 

[Richard D]

Just noticed - the co-author must be particularly concerned 😉

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Are Med Gulls really decreasing as the article suggests? Locally (Wirral) the gulls at Burton Mere have had two bad years; bird flu last year and nest predation this year. The latter was a random event, the former probably more widespread.

 

[pianoman]

One thing I have noticed over the last 40 years or so is that the proportion of Black-Headed to Herring gulls is much greater than it used to be. The predominant sound of seaside towns now tends to be mainly the wheedling of BHG rather than the laughing of HG.

I've a feeling that the study refers mainly to Herring Gull, and the article has just thrown in a mention of the other species.

 

[Andy Lakin]

Are Med Gulls really decreasing as the article suggests? Locally (Wirral) the gulls at Burton Mere have had two bad years; bird flu last year and nest predation this year. The latter was a random event, the former probably more widespread.

Totally agree Med Gulls are spreading out Northwards gradually. Definitely a big increase in Yorkshire from when they used to be really scarce.

Just me or is the use of the term seagull throughout a bit annoying?

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

It’s not just you!

 

[Richard D]

I used to be annoyed by seagull but decided if people are at least interested in gulls to some degree it doesn't really matter

 

[opisska]

One thing I have noticed over the last 40 years or so is that the proportion of Black-Headed to Herring gulls is much greater than it used to be. The predominant sound of seaside towns now tends to be mainly the wheedling of BHG rather than the laughing of HG.

I've a feeling that the study refers mainly to Herring Gull, and the article has just thrown in a mention of the other species.

This is kinda interesting because in many parts of Europe as far as I know, BHG is the fast declining species, basically due to their extremely picky breeding requirements.

 

[wheatearlp]

Just me or is the use of the term seagull throughout a bit annoying?

I'm slightly less irritated by 'seagull' than I used to be, but referring to it as a species is plainly ridiculous.

 

[wheatearlp]

This is kinda interesting because in many parts of Europe as far as I know, BHG is the fast declining species, basically due to their extremely picky breeding requirements.

Perhaps moving north in line with climate change, as there seem to be a large number breeding in the UK, at least in many of the parts of England I frequent.

 

[Stuart Goodwin]

Evening. It certainly doesn’t feel like a decline around Sittingbourne, Kent.