Seagulls
Overview
Five species of gull commonly occur in the United Kingdom, but only 3, the Greater Black-Backed Gull, the Lesser Black-Backed
Gull and the Herring Gull are regarded as pests and can be controlled under the General Licence.
In inland areas, particularly when it is not the breeding season, gulls often roost in large numbers on large bodies of water such
as reservoirs or lakes. When inland, gulls are by and large, dependent on domestic refuse for food. Herring gulls and lesser
black-backed gulls are becoming increasingly important pests having changed their behaviour over the last two decades years,
leading to more nesting on buildings.
Heavy fouling may occur on buildings adopted by gulls. Nesting materials can block drainage channels and chimneys, and
attacks on humans can occur in the breeding season.
Gulls will take smaller birds and mammals for food.
Click on the links to the left to find out more on individual UK species.
, and is the most abundant and best known of all gulls.<p>They commonly infest buildings in seaside towns, and are a common sight at landfill sites.<p><h3>Biology</h3><img src=images/bullet-point.gif> 1 brood per year, with 2 - 4 eggs in each clutch.<p><img src=images/bullet-point.gif> 25 day incubation period.<p><img src=images/bullet-point.gif> Young birds spend 35 - 42 days in the nest<p><h3>Distribution</h3><p>Herring Gulls breeds across North America, Europe and Asia. Some Herring Gulls, especially those resident in colder areas, migrate further south in winter, but many are permanent residents, e.g. those on the lower Great Lakes, on the east coast of North America or at the North Sea shores. Herring Gulls are also abundant around inland garbage dumps, and some have even adapted to life in inland cities.<p><h3>Significance</h3><p>Can carry serious diseases, and often cause significant hygiene problems through their droppings. Droppings can cause floods by blocking drainage, and can corrode masonry. Herring Gulls are very territorial, and will attack if their territory is threatened. The raucous calls of massed nesting gulls causes significant nuisance.<p><h3>Control</h3><p>A careful survey will reveal areas of infestation, nest sites, perches and roosts. These should then be treated with a variety of proofing mechanisms, to restrict access by gulls. Flock sizes may be reduced by culling, by a variety of methods.','success')){kind=link}
</i> is a large gull which breeds on the Atlantic coasts of Europe. It is migratory, wintering from the British Isles south to West Africa. It is also a regular winter visitor to the east coast of North America, probably from the breeding population in Iceland.<p>They are similar in size to the Herring Gull or just slightly smaller. They are omnivores like most Larus gulls, and they will scavenge as well as seek suitable small prey.<p><h3>Biology</h3><p>This species breeds singly or in small colonies. 1-3 eggs are laid. Young birds have scaly black-brown upperparts and a neat wing pattern. They take four years to reach maturity. Identification from juvenile Herring Gulls is most readily done by the more solidly dark (unbarred) tertial feathers.<p><h3>Distribution</h3><p>These gulls are found throughout Northern latitudes in Europe, Greenland and North America.<p><h3>Significance</h3><p>Can carry serious diseases, and often cause significant hygiene problems through their droppings. Droppings can cause floods by blocking drainage, and can corrode masonry. Gulls are very territorial, and will attack if their territory is threatened. The raucous calls of massed nesting gulls causes significant nuisance.<p><h3>Control</h3><p>A careful survey will reveal areas of infestation, nest sites, perches and roosts. These should then be treated with a variety of proofing mechanisms, to restrict access by gulls. Flock sizes may be reduced by culling, by a variety of methods.','success')){kind=link}