The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Why the reluctance of herring gulls to breed in Cleethorpes, Mablethorpe and Skegness?

In probably most other UK seaside resorts, their nests are abundant, but I am not aware of a single one in Lincolnshire's three largest tourist towns.

It can't be the lack of suitably tall seafront buildings or distance from cliffs, because that is no deterrent in South Coast places such as Eastbourne and Hastings.

I realise HGs are unpopular with some people because they are noisy, messy and aggressive, but, in my opinion, they give "atmosphere" to the seaside holiday scene, and Lincolnshire loses out from their absence.

Is there a simple explanation why they are not local breeders? Is it something in the air?

Herring Gull is now a Red Data list species, meaning its population has decreased by 50% in the last 25 years or that there has been a 50% contraction of its breeding range. Half of the UK population is now at only ten sites. My observations indicate that it is being replaced by Lesser Black-backed Gulls in many places.

John

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Gutted!

Didn't know the species was in decline - let alone at such a fast rate.

When I was in Scarborough a couple of summers ago, HGs were everywhere - it was hard not to collide with one, either on the ground or in flight.

It doesn't answer the question why Lincolnshire seaside towns are off their breeding radar.

In my 30-plus years in the county, I have never been aware of a single nest though I note from the 2011 county bird report that there have been a few isolated instances of breeding along relatively remote parts of the coast.

Interesting point, JC, about LBBGs. They were certainly abundant when I spent a day last year in Milton, a suburb of Glasgow.

Up there, they venture into quite small gardens and take charge of bird tables.

I quite like them, but, IMO, their vocal performance falls way short of that of HGs.

Things have changed since 2011, Jim. Both herring gull and lesser blackback are breeding in Grimsby and Cleethorpes. Take look (for instance) at rooftops around Gy town centre, the docks and light industrial area near Chapman's Pond, Cleethorpes.

Chuffed to bits!

Thanks, Ian, for that info - I'll definitely get along to the area around Chapman's pond.

The more I see (and hear HGs), the more I like them!

Herring Gull with two young sandwiched between the chimney pots on a building at the junction of Lumley Ave and Algitha Road in Skegness today, should clear up some of the detritus left by the holidaymakers! Judging by the amount of flying/calling birds around there could be many more. For someone who has lived in Skeg all his life it is a very welcome sound.

Rob.

Whilst there are lots of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls calling in Boston and seemingly paired up as if breeding, I can only confirm one Herring Gull sitting on it's nest on the rooftop of the Police Station - seen from up Boston Stump.

Alan