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Seagull species in serious decline, say experts (www.bbc.co.uk)

submitted 2 months ago by GreyShuck@feddit.uk to c/nature@feddit.uk

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They are the sound of our seaside, and can often be seen stealing a pasty, a sandwich or some chips.

Seagulls. But, love them or loathe them, they are in decline, according to wildlife experts.

While the birds may appear to be thriving, they are on the red list - the highest level - for British bird species of concern, because their population has dropped by 72% in 55 years.

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[–] YungOnions@sh.itjust.works 7 points 2 months ago

I was by the coast earlier this year and there were hundreds of these aggressive bastards everywhere, so I'm tempted to say 'good'. However it is a damning indictment of the state of the UKs biodiversity when even the 'flying rats' are having issues.

[–] Tamo240@programming.dev 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I'm pretty sure they're all just moving inland to big cities

[–] GreyShuck@feddit.uk 4 points 2 months ago

They certainly are moving to the cities, but the studies - at least the ones that I have seen details of - have included that. They are still in decline overall.

[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

If seagulls ain't making it...

[–] mojofrododojo@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

yup.

How long do we have?

[–] SteefLem@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Well here where i live, and we live as far inland as you can in this country, there are a shit tone of seagulls. But all the blackbirds have disappeared. We had quit a few till a week or so ago. And all of a sudden…none.. all other birds are still here but no blackbird anywhere. Very weird.

[–] fakeman_pretendname@feddit.uk 2 points 2 months ago

Ms Allen added that in general seagulls do not attack people for food, and that only happens when they are nesting.

Or if you've got something from Greggs. In our local city centre (miles from any sea), at least three people seem to get attacked or mugged for food by seagulls every lunchtime, and have done for a few years. I don't think they nest all year round.

I swear they've been getting more aggressive over the last couple of years though - they've been killing pigeons in the city centre, and attacking people's cats in their gardens, and on at least one occasion, killing and half-eating some kittens.