Strange gull behaviour?

LoveT · #1 (**permalink**) 26-10-2008, 08:13 PM

This is probably perfectly normal gull behaviour to most of you, but I've never seen this activity before.

I was at Keyhaven in Hampshire with some other people yesterday and we were watching the birds feed on the mudflats etc. as the tide was almost out.

Our attention was drawn to the black headed gulls, who we observed taking flight to a height of about 10-20 feet (very approx!), and then diving right into the water. We presume they were after fish etc. that were in the deeper channels, but it was really fascinating to watch them do this:

It wasn't the odd one or two that were doing it - they all were at some point. I've certainly never seen this behaviour (not observing sea birds all that often), but one of the group I was with - a regular visitor - hadn't witnessed it either. It was like watching synchronised diving.

Has anyone else seen this behaviour before, or is it just the Keyhaven gulls showing off

!

Thea

KeenTeen17 · #2 (**permalink**) 26-10-2008, 08:20 PM

maybe they are young ones experimenting or trying to mimic terns!

Jason Green · #3 (**permalink**) 26-10-2008, 10:44 PM

Sounds like they were co-operating with each other, taking it in turns to group fish together then in turn diving to try and catch one? I do know dolphins work together to intercept schools of fish...

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 27-10-2008, 05:34 AM

The birds in the photo are adult. From the photo it's difficult to be sure, but they may be getting a food source. They often do this when there is a fly hatch, but possibly small fish here.

LoveT · #5 (**permalink**) 27-10-2008, 07:22 AM

Thanks for the replies

It seemed to be that all the black headed gulls were at it at given times - sometimes individually (I saw one flying over a channel, pause and hover, then dive right in), and sometimes in twos, threes etc. They were definitely catching something, but it was hard to tell, as although they weren't too distant, I couldn't pick it up with my 200m lens.

Thea

Gill Catton · #6 (**permalink**) 27-10-2008, 09:02 AM

Yes I see this too, I think it is fairly normal behaviour, I saw a juv herring gull at it too last week though it was seemingy just after a leaf!

LoveT · #7 (**permalink**) 27-10-2008, 07:12 PM

Thanks all for the answers

Just thought I'd share this one with you all before I leave this subject alone:

Lots of lovely waders (and I'm ashamed to say I don't know what they are

!), and there they are, Black Headed Gulls doing their fishing trick right in among them

Thea

Meta menardi · #8 (**permalink**) 27-10-2008, 07:19 PM

Altimeter needs re-calibrating?

aeshna5 · #9 (**permalink**) 27-10-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveT

Thanks all for the answers

Just thought I'd share this one with you all before I leave this subject alone:

Lots of lovely waders (and I'm ashamed to say I don't know what they are

!), and there they are, Black Headed Gulls doing their fishing trick right in among them

Thea

Black-tailed Godwits are your waders. These will be of the Icelandic race which winter here- I often see them at Farlington which isn't far from you in New Forest.

LoveT · #10 (**permalink**) 27-10-2008, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Black-tailed Godwits are your waders. These will be of the Icelandic race which winter here- I often see them at Farlington which isn't far from you in New Forest.

Thanks very much for that - it's obviously a good place to go and see lots of waders and sea birds

.

As soon as I get my Bigma back, guess where I'm headed to get some more shots!!

Thea