Gulls are known for their exceptional dedication as parents in the bird world. Due to the destruction of their natural coastal habitats by human coastal defences and the cleaning of cliff faces to eliminate their nesting sites, gulls have had to adjust to urban living. Previously, thousands of birds nested between Eastbourne and Brighton, but now only a small group of birds reside. As a result, many gulls have acclimated to living on the rooftops of nearby towns and villages.
All birds are protected under the Countryside and Wildlife Act during their nesting season including all gulls, crows, pigeons and doves. They can only be disturbed under licence. This licence must be readily available and inspectable when in use.
WRAS will not touch or interfere with any nesting gulls, their young, their nest or eggs, as to do so would be illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, unless:
All species of gulls have been excluded from the General Licence GL41 – to safeguard public health and safety. This means gulls and various other species can no longer be disturbed, captured, or killed under the previous General Licences. Therefore, it is advised to consult directly with Natural England, the government department responsible for Wildlife Licensing, before engaging in any activities that may affect nesting birds or lead to their disturbance.
In any situation where DEFRA or any other governmental body issues a license to disturb nesting gulls, WRAS rescuers will not proceed with the task unless WRAS’s Rescue Coordinator confirms that removing gull offspring, eggs, or nests is necessary for human health and safety and cannot be delayed until the young have left. Offspring will only be relocated if they are reliant on the nest. If the young are capable of moving around and using other parts of the roof safely, away from where essential work is needed, they will be left on the roof while the nest is removed. The individual requesting the work will be asked to contribute a donation of approximately £97 and agree to cover all additional expenses before work begins. Payment can be invoiced for your convenience.
WRAS opposes the removal of gulls due to dive-bombing or inconveniencing residents or building users. If gulls are dive bombing check the local area as this may be because a youngster has fallen off a roof and causing the parents to get protective. WRAS provides the following guidance for such situations:
Please report any instances of illegal removal, harm, or disruption of gulls to the Rural Crime Team at Sussex Police and the RSPCA. WRAS volunteers do not take action based on information received unless instructed by Sussex Police or the RSPCA. If you witness someone interfering with nesting birds, indicating a crime in progress, call 999 for immediate police assistance. For disturbances reported after an incident, dial 101.
The gull nesting season is divided into five overlapping periods as follows.
1. Nest building / laying of eggs
This marks the initial phase, typically commencing in late May. In cases where nests are damaged by weather or humans, gulls may attempt to rebuild. Throughout this period, inquiries come in from individuals seeking to prevent gulls from nesting on their property or requiring immediate roof repairs under license. Gulls, like all birds during nesting, are safeguarded. Their nests should not be disturbed unless authorized by a general license from Natural England. It’s important to note that dive-bombing and noisy gulls are not valid reasons for obtaining a general license. For further guidance on general licenses, it is advisable to reach out to Natural England, a division of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
2. Baby Seagull chicks / fluffy chicks
As soon as chicks appear on roofs we start getting calls where the chicks have fallen off the roof. Very small chicks up to 3 days old do need the warmth of their parents at night and will need access to the nest. After strong winds numerous calls are received about chicks falling off roofs. Placing chicks older than 3 days on an extension or even back on to the main house roof is the best thing to do. The parent will continue to look after them and feed them. Chicks older than 3 days do not need to go back to their nest. Ensuring fresh water is available to drink is very beneficial for all wildlife in these situations.
Young gulls often call out to their parents, whining and whimpering, which is a typical behavior and not a cause for concern. Even when perched on rooftops, these calls are simply their way of seeking attention and food. It’s a natural behaviour that should not be a source of worry. In general, most wildlife refrains from making noise when injured to prevent attracting predators.
3. Nestlings (Partially feathered / Fluff)
As the young grow feathers, they begin to follow their parents and try to fly. There are increased reports of young gulls tumbling from roofs. Whenever feasible, these birds should be returned to a roof near their original location to ensure their safety, as previously mentioned. It’s important to avoid placing them on an incorrect roof or near other nesting gulls to prevent conflicts.
4. Fledglings (Fully feathered and developed)
Fledglings are identifiable by their wing tips overlapping just above the tail base, ideally with at least a 1cm overlap. Like all fledglings, their initial flights often end in gardens as they lack the necessary muscle strength in their wings to fly properly. Fledglings should be left undisturbed unless they are injured, in peril, such as on a busy road, or trapped in a confined area with dimensions like 6ft x 6ft or surrounded by walls higher than 12ft, depending on the size of the space.
If fledgling gulls have descended from a roof to a road, it’s best to move them to the garden of the house they originated from for safety. Attempting to place them at a height may result in them jumping off once more.
Parent gulls may withhold food to motivate their young to fly towards them; this behavior is typical.
Providing fresh water is beneficial, but offering food should be done with caution, as it may attract other adult gulls or other species that could harm the fledgling.
Fledglings, being vulnerable to predators, are a natural part of the food chain. Rescue centres typically do not intervene solely due to the presence of predators, as the resources to care for the vast number of fledglings that would require assistance are not available. While it may be distressing to observe predation, it is a natural process and should not be disrupted. Predators have their dietary needs, just as gulls need to catch fish and Tawny Owls need to hunt mice.
5. Young flying with “L” plates.
The final stage occurs when fledglings are learning to fly and becoming accustomed to their wings. This leads to numerous reports of gulls attacked by dogs, road casualties, and window strikes, each incident presenting a range of injuries.
Unlike garden birds, adult gulls do not feed their offspring as frequently. For instance, a blue tit may feed its young every five minutes or more, while gulls typically feed their young three to six times a day, especially during the early morning, late afternoon, and evening, to avoid the midday heat. It’s a common misconception that gull chicks and juveniles are neglected because observers don’t witness the parents feeding them throughout the day. Yet, it’s rare for someone to monitor continuously from dawn until dusk to verify parental feeding. Even if the parents are perched on a higher roof and the young are on a lower one, they usually continue to provide for them.
Many individuals inquire whether they should feed young gulls that have been returned to low roofs or have fallen into gardens. Often, feeding can result in the young being attacked by other adult gulls also seeking food. These gulls may become aggressive towards juveniles that are not their own. Feeding is generally unnecessary, as the parent birds will provide for them. However, if the young gulls are abandoned, they will require hand-rearing.
Where a baby or young gull falls off a roof and is unable to return to its parents on its own, it should be placed back onto the roof if:
… Or be placed onto a flat extension roof, another shallow low roof or garage roof as along as:
Annually, thousands of gulls tumble from rooftops across Southeast England, and it’s not feasible for all to receive care due to financial and resource constraints. Rescue organisations strive to do their utmost within their means, balancing their budgets with their workload. Yet, each year, capacity is maxed out. If you’re requested to assist a grounded bird or transport it elsewhere, please understand that East Sussex WRAS, along with other groups, are constrained by limited volunteers and resources, and simply cannot assist everyone—there are not enough hours in the day.
Although the incidence of Avian Influenza in the region has decreased, local cases continue to emerge. We are admitting gulls and other species susceptible to Avian Influenza; however, they must be evaluated outdoors prior to admission. Any gulls exhibiting symptoms of Avian Influenza, with no other known cause, will need to be euthanized to safeguard the thousands of birds that depend on WRAS’s hospital.
When picking up gulls – like any bird – please wear gloves, ideally wear an apron / waterproof jacket, facemask (ideally FFP3) and/or a face shield if you have one. Place the bird into a box or pet carrier, or contain the bird inside a pillow case.
