Calls to cull red-billed gulls

[Neil Fitzgerald]

People in Oamaru not happy about red-billed gull pooping.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/408 ... councillor

[Clinton9]

What ?? !!! I do NOT recommend culling of our Red-billed gulls...They are becoming endangered species, because of mammalian predators.

So NO culling !

Red-billed gulls don't start to breed until 3 year old.

[Michael Szabo]

For decades the town of Oamaru pumped it's sewage into the sea nearby - could the local gulls be taking their revenge on the town?

[Neil Fitzgerald]

Perhaps local birders can try to lobby and educate the council.

[Ian McLean]

Hi there
Unfortunately there are some individuals out there whom are very selfish as well as bit mean & stupid !
In this case, I would suggest the Otago Branch of Birds New Zealand urgently contact the Waitaki District Council to offer them some friendly advice on things they could do to help both the gulls & the town ? This could done in a helpful way, rather than blasting them with criticism.
Some suggestions could include: building or providing an alternative nesting site, this could be an old breakwater or even a floating platform within a sheltered part of the harbour. Predator proofing a fenced part of Cape Wanbrow as a nest site, cleaning up any refuse used as a food source & advising the public never to feed them.
We have found in Auckland that when Birds New Zealand consulted with the Auckland Council regarding the Feral Geese at Western Springs, the council listened & we got results.
Engagement works, it can get results for the birds (& people) whilst lifting the profile of Birds New Zealand.
Cheers
Ian

[Jan]

There was a call to do the same culling on Scarborough Head in Sumner, Chch, before some education was given to the people calling for it. Gulls are a bit messy but if folk don't leave masses of wasted food lying about so gulls can scavenge it, it could be resolved.