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Black-headed gull control

Clare
07/09/2022 10:20

Thomo has just claimed on another thread that the eggs of black-headed gulls are deliberately rendered infertile at Minsmere.  I'd really like to know the truth of this as they, as well as avocets, are on the UK Amber List and Minsmere is the only black-headed gullery in Suffolk (to the best of my knowledge).

Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • 07/09/2022 12:13
    Thanks Clare
    I can assure you that we do not carry out any control of black-headed gulls at Minsmere. If it wasn't for the black-headed gull colony we probably wouldn't have any avocets or terns nesting as they seek the protection of the aggressive gulls against larger predators.
  • 07/09/2022 14:47
    Thanks, Ian. That's what I always thought to be the case, so Thomo's post came as a shock (to put it mildly). I don't know where he got that from - it goes to show there's all sorts of misinformation about, sadly.

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • 07/09/2022 16:08

    Check the book minsmere portrait of a bird reserve! By Bert Axel. Im out birdwatching right I will the page  on  my return home to confirm what i said!

    Regards,

    Ian.

  • 07/09/2022 16:14
    That book was written 40 years ago Ian. Our management practices have changed considerably since then. No black-headed gull culling has occurred in the 20 years that I have worked here