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BBC environment correspondent Helen Briggs reported that gulls are facing numerous challenges with their natural populations declining. From snatching chips to devouring whole starfish, gulls are infamous for their insatiable appetites. Dr. Alice Risely, an ecologist from the University of Salford, was surprised at the sight of gulls consuming “peculiar and fascinating items” on social media. Consequently, she initiated a citizen science project called Gulls Eating Stuff to examine the variations in their diets by encouraging people to share photos of gulls feeding on the project’s website.
Warming oceans, overfishing, and avian flu are some of the threats jeopardizing seabirds in the UK, including gulls. A number of gull species are currently listed on the UK red list of conservation concern due to their declining populations. Dr. Risely mentioned the necessity of comprehending the gulls’ eating habits to shed light on their behavior, ecological role, and the challenges they are confronting in an evolving environment.
Gulls have been observed gravitating toward urban areas in closer proximity to humans, thereby augmenting their natural diet of fish, crabs, starfish, and earthworms with leftover human meals. The gulls may be frequenting cities to scavenge for food to nourish their young during the breeding season, reverting to their natural diet once the fledglings have matured. Conversely, gulls might be relying on human scraps throughout the year due to diminishing natural food reserves, although conclusive evidence is scarce. By leveraging online photos, Dr. Risely aspires to decode the gulls’ dietary patterns and acquire valuable insights into their eating habits amidst changing climatic conditions.
The article noted that the UK boasts extensive seabird colonies nesting on cliffs, but these populations are dwindling due to a myriad of factors such as climate change and food scarcity. Distressingly, some gull species like herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls are seeking solace in coastal cities as their natural habitats face mounting challenges. While the count of urban gulls remains largely undocumented, data on natural populations consistently indicate sharp declines with each passing observation
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