Phd researcher studying urban gull behaviour at University of Exeter, Cornwall | Bird ringer and avid ring reader
- Tweets896
- Following406
- Followers337
- Likes16K
ALT A close up and very round shaped herring gull chick on the edge a blue paddling pool, fully feathered and mottled brown and white in colour. Its head is down, in line with its body, looking at the camera, with beak open as it is begging when the photo was taken. Speech bubble confirms that the chick is asking for "more food plz".
ALT Three tiny herring gull chicks having nap in the back of their enclosure. Two have non toxic colour spots on their rumps for ID purposes and one has feet stretched out behind for what I learnt to mean they were at their most content :)
ALT Trail Camera photo of almost ready to fledged group of herring gull chicks get up to. Answer was play with the trail camera straps or sleep.
ALT A small fluffy but interested herring gull chick standing up in small pet carrier to stretch legs and eat some food before going back in to continue journey to rescue. Being brought into wildlife rescues is a last resort and only if the chick cannot be placed back on the exact roof where its nest and parents are. They are strong in their legs from very early on and can scramble back up roof tiles. Chicks on the ground can be looked after by their parents if in a safe spot, not disturbed and away from the road. Many chicks ‘fledge’ or jump off roofs at this time of year as they are nearly fully grown with feathers but cannot fly well yet. Please allow them to stay if safe/possible while they work out how to use their wings! If a chick is injured or caught by a cat the chick needs to see a vet asap!