The Village Voice Oct Nov 2018

THOSE UNINVITED GUESTS
A story of Black Gulls. They often have a ‘larger lout’ reputation, not so for Monica, who has had gulls
nesting on the roof near her for the past 5 years.
Well, it all began when a pair of Great Black Back comprises of tasty dinners. Fish bones are
Gulls decided our felt apex roof was the perfect frequently found in the bottom of the paddling
nesting spot, just behind the central brick built pool below, by splashing children who squeal
chimney. Well, how they knew that it was no with delight at finding the most bones.
longer in use, is still a mystery. In case you are The chicks now sport pale brown feathers with
unfamiliar with this large black and white gull heavy white mottling, and are nearly as big as
with a wing span of one and a half metres, then their parents. They roam the roof, picking up
do read on!
anything in their path, with all the curiosity of
They arrive each year around April, and meet up children. During the hot weather the parents
with their long standing partner. In the privacy of roost with bills wide open, but as night falls, the
their room with a view, they romantically mate sound of their deep, hoarse long trumpeting calls
in perfect harmony. Job done, they begin and high pitched notes interrupts our sleep, and
gathering sticks, seaweed and grass to build a provides an unwanted alarm call every morning.
precarious and untidy nest. Much of it slips The felt roof is no longer green as it is coated in a
down the roof onto our balconies below, but gooey white-wash of pooh! The juveniles are so
unaware they continue with their messy bored, they strut, jump and flap their wings in
housekeeping. They share the role of sitting on ungainly fashion, anxious to see the world
the nest , so we cannot tell the male and female beyond the roof. Now growing up is never easy,
apart. One of them heads out, to forage for food. and on the last day of July, Barry begins his own
This is often sizable fish and other marine life, to descent! Strutting defiantly across the car park
feed the to the woods, he promptly loses his way in the
quiet thick brambles. His devoted Mother speaks in
sitter. soft dulcet tones to urge her off-spring back. She
Sadly, we flies forwards and back to show him the way out.
are not However, like all naughty teenagers, he disobeys
the and hops onto parked cars before stepping ‘the
recipients light fantastic’ across the extensive garage roof.
of their catch, as an odd crab wouldn’t go amiss Many hours later, with gentle coaxing, he finally
in a salad!
returns home.
In the early morning the skies become a war Suddenly and without warning, all four have
zone, as seagulls and crows swoop like screaming flown, so our lives can return to some normality.
spitfires causing mayhem! But our unfazed Well, that was, until Bandy returned, due to his
nesters jab at the interlopers using their
lack of flying skills. Like all good Mothers he was
powerful bills to defend the nest, emitting gently persuaded to follow her and within two
deafening territorial war-cries.
days they too were gone, but the sound of his
Generally three eggs are laid, greenish brown in wails could be heard nightly, until peace finally
colour with dark speckles. One rolled down the reigned.
roof this year, so only two were incubated. Late These Great Black Back gulls are truly inspiring
in May two fluffy leggy chicks named Bandy and parents as they work tirelessly to raise their
Barry were seen briefly, but certainly heard, due family. The young take four years to reach
to their persistent peeping for food every hour. maturity before they gain a smart new uniform
The parents were in perpetual motion regurgitating
of black and white feathers.
food to fill wide open mouths! A few So I guess we will see the parents back again
weeks later Bandy and Barry were spotted next year, to do it all over again!
tottering along the ridge of the roof whilst OH........................... Shut the front door!
shaking out their fluffy down. They grow rapidly,
and become much more demanding as food Monica Murfitt, Milford on Sea
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