Herring Gulls and breeding

[griffgrouch]

I've been watching a pair of gulls that breed around our houses the last few years and the have lost thier young for the last three.

This year they lost them quite early, where they went I have no idea. Why do they not lay again, there would be enough time? I don't think the onset of autumn would bother them that much.

[Littlesparrow]

What is causing them to lose their Young?

[leon_heller]

Unlike many other birds, they don't seem to lay a second time. It might simply be lack of food, you could try putting food out for them next year. I've got a feeling that the Herring Gulls on my balcony might not have successfully reared their two chicks unless I'd supplemented their diet. All the other pairs I've seen only seem to have one youngster, so chick mortality must be high.

[griffgrouch]

Originally Posted by Littlesparrow

What is causing them to lose their Young?

The first year the young fell off the roof. Second year, the bird was just about to fly and in a practise flight flew off the roof on to the floor. It didn't survive the night. This year, most strange, they just disappeared.

[Littlesparrow]

Assuming it is the same pair you would think they would move their nest if they kept losing their young?