Source: Department of Conservation
Much like you, probably, I once considered gulls to be associated with the ocean and hot chips – that’s if I considered them at all. Working at the Department of Conservation has taught me to reconsider things.
A gull by any other name
You might think it’s silly that DOC keep insisting on calling them ‘gulls’, rather than seagulls – but it’s with good reason. None of these gulls reside exclusively next to the sea.
Our largest, black-backed gulls (karoro in some dialects) are frequently seen in Tongariro National Park – about as far from the sea as you can get in Aotearoa!
Our smallest, tarāpuka/black-billed gulls, nest on braided rivers in the South Island, and around lakes in the North Island.
People are regularly surprised to find these gulls inland – probably because ‘sea’ is in the name. But there you have it.
Gulls just wanna have fun
You might have seen them in the news. Gulls nesting in town centres, gulls pooping, gulls and lasers (looking at you Blenheim!)! Why now?
- Breeding season for most gulls is spring-summer, so that’s when they tend to bunch together and become more visible. They gang up for safety in numbers to protect their chicks.
- Although human food is not good for gulls (or any birds!), they don’t know that, and in summer people eating outside seems like an easy source of food for growing gull families.
- Some of our gulls have been moved along from traditional breeding sites – people are encroaching on their natural territories, so they turn up in funny places.
- When natural food sources are low (e.g. krill for red-billed gulls), they seek alternatives.
Here today, gull tomorrow
Two of our three gull species are in decline, so it matters how we react to their breeding decisions. Urban environments aren’t really the best for breeding gulls (or the people around them) and it’s on us to ensure they are encouraged to more natural locations for future seasons.
Number 1 hot tip:
- Please don’t feed them!
- It’s bad for them
- It encourages them to come back next year!
Protected
Tarapūka and tarāpunga are absolutely protected under the Wildlife Act 1953. Anyone who disturbs these gulls and/or their nests can be convicted with penalties ranging from fines up to $100,000 and/or up to two years imprisonment.
Spot the difference
I’ll be the first to admit these photos are not a definitive guide to bird identification (for that you can check out our website or NZ Birds Online) but in a pinch they show you the difference between our gulls.
Other ways you can help:
- Trap pests near breeding colonies, on your property and in the community
- Never feed gulls any food or scraps – some of our food is harmful to them
- Be a responsible cat owner
- Find and volunteer with your local community conservation group
- Get kids or schools involved
- Leave nesting birds alone
- Avoid leaving old fishing lines in the water
- Only take dogs to areas that allow them, and keep them under control
- Notify DOC if you see wildlife being harassed by people or dogs
- Get your dog trained in avian awareness
