Great piece - thanks, Imogen! I recently facilitated a creative writing group for Lairg Learning Centre about migratory seabirds, and the impact climate change is having (Flight Path project). The research for this left me amazed that so many gulls are now red-listed. Even the apparently indestructible herring gull, so large and confident and fond of chips, is in trouble. I love the way you shift perspective here, asking important questions.
Excellent article, thanks. A pair of Lesser Black Backed Gulls nest across the road from our flat every year and we love watching them bring up their chicks.
This is a fabulous article, Imogen. There are two herring gulls which regularly pop into my garden on the outskirts of Inverness and I love watching their behaviour. I really wish that folk could see that it's human behaviour that has brought the gulls to us whether in urban environments or in the mountains: humans leave our waste everywhere and gulls come to see what they can eat.
Such and important article Imogen, thank you. Living in a village in rural Scotland, I LOVE the squawking squabbling gloriousness that are the gulls lining the rooves of my road. The cacophony of sound each mornings is just wonderful. admittedly the dog is not keen on being dive bombed, but has learnt to move fast and duck! I was horrified a few years back to learn that these wonderful birds are so threatened. Shame on humanity!
Brilliant article, Imogen, thank you. I love your title, it really helps us see and appreciate what’s in front of us in urban areas. Gulls have great character and are a joy to watch. You offer a way people may choose gratitude and compassion over what they may previously have thought a nuisance .
Great article, and such an important thing to highlight. Kate Bradbury @onegardenagainsttheworld also writes movingly about Gulls' persecution in her book. They're just as badly treated on the SE English coast. Oddly, here on Guernsey I'm not sure they're so vilified, but perhaps that's because as an island people are resigned to living with them, or (fingers crossed) actually appreciate them. I'll have to investigate!
Thank-you for the recommendation, I'll be sure to look out Kate's book. Pleased gulls are well tolerated on Guernsey a place I've not yet had the fortune to visit. Imogen.
What a great post - and so applicable to many species in many places.
People complain so easily when they are inconvenienced by nature, and it never occurs to them that it is us who are the problem. I wholeheartedly agree with what you say!
Fantastic article. I live slightly inland from the Jurassic coastline and Gulls nest in our village now. I love them and agree 100 % with what you have written. We've been saying this for decades. Thank you 😊
Great piece - thanks, Imogen! I recently facilitated a creative writing group for Lairg Learning Centre about migratory seabirds, and the impact climate change is having (Flight Path project). The research for this left me amazed that so many gulls are now red-listed. Even the apparently indestructible herring gull, so large and confident and fond of chips, is in trouble. I love the way you shift perspective here, asking important questions.
Excellent article, thanks. A pair of Lesser Black Backed Gulls nest across the road from our flat every year and we love watching them bring up their chicks.
This is a fabulous article, Imogen. There are two herring gulls which regularly pop into my garden on the outskirts of Inverness and I love watching their behaviour. I really wish that folk could see that it's human behaviour that has brought the gulls to us whether in urban environments or in the mountains: humans leave our waste everywhere and gulls come to see what they can eat.
Thanks Imogen.
Gulls are beautiful, smart & adaptable.
They also have every right to live with us and be respected and enjoyed.
The law demands that we do them no harm .. perhaps young people will learn a positive attitude, value them and campaign to reverse their decline 🤞
Keep up the good work.
Tony.
Such and important article Imogen, thank you. Living in a village in rural Scotland, I LOVE the squawking squabbling gloriousness that are the gulls lining the rooves of my road. The cacophony of sound each mornings is just wonderful. admittedly the dog is not keen on being dive bombed, but has learnt to move fast and duck! I was horrified a few years back to learn that these wonderful birds are so threatened. Shame on humanity!
Brilliant article, Imogen, thank you. I love your title, it really helps us see and appreciate what’s in front of us in urban areas. Gulls have great character and are a joy to watch. You offer a way people may choose gratitude and compassion over what they may previously have thought a nuisance .
Superb article Imogen. It would be great if the plight of our gulls was more widely appreciated
Great article, and such an important thing to highlight. Kate Bradbury @onegardenagainsttheworld also writes movingly about Gulls' persecution in her book. They're just as badly treated on the SE English coast. Oddly, here on Guernsey I'm not sure they're so vilified, but perhaps that's because as an island people are resigned to living with them, or (fingers crossed) actually appreciate them. I'll have to investigate!
Thank-you for the recommendation, I'll be sure to look out Kate's book. Pleased gulls are well tolerated on Guernsey a place I've not yet had the fortune to visit. Imogen.
https://youtu.be/nBQVYKha4qw?si=bN2n3t2eGdO4D3Yx
This short RSPB video demonstrates a fantastic wee project in Dundee that has been running around Gull awareness
What a great post - and so applicable to many species in many places.
People complain so easily when they are inconvenienced by nature, and it never occurs to them that it is us who are the problem. I wholeheartedly agree with what you say!
Fantastic article. I live slightly inland from the Jurassic coastline and Gulls nest in our village now. I love them and agree 100 % with what you have written. We've been saying this for decades. Thank you 😊
The Gull next door by Marianne Taylor Princetown UP is a great read.