Why are seagulls so noisy?

SEAGULLS are notorious for making a racket and disrupting our peaceful nights and summer BBQs.

But why are the birds so noisy at this time of year and what can you do about it?

Why are seagulls so noisy?

There are numerous reasons why gulls – colloquially seagulls – might make more a lot of noise.

The most common is that their nests are under threat.

Parent gulls are understandably protective over their offspring and their specially-built nests.

They will make as much noise as possible to ward off potential predators – whether they are human or other birds.

Plus, young gulls are very hungry and will call for their parents for food, adding to the din.

The birds also tend to build their nests in high-up areas, which are often in urban environments.

It means they can be next to windows, in roof alcoves and generally close to humans – which makes them seem even louder.

When is the seagull mating season?

Seagulls are monogamous creatures and often mate for life, according to National Geographic.

Mating season tends to start in late February, with breeding season beginning from May and ending in late July or August.

But the overall nesting season runs from March until September, and gulls can be pretty loud during this time.

The birds will often mate several times during a season to ensure success.

And they will usually return to the same breeding site every year.

One of the UK's main breeding populations is in Seaford, East Sussex, where more than 1,000 nests can be seen in the summer months.

When are they at their noisiest?

Seagulls are at their noisiest during nesting season.

But as this runs from March until September, this means they are rather loud for pretty much half the year.

How can pest control companies deal with them?

If you're bothered by birds, you may have wondered if pest control companies can help.

While they are unlikely to intervene if it is simply the noise that is bugging you, experts can assist with stopping gulls from nesting on your property.

The British Pest Control Association highlights several ways this can be done, including proofing measures such as netting, sprung and parallel wires, and bird spikes. 

A BPCA spokesperson said: "Gulls can be huge, so the equipment involved in keeping them out of somewhere has to be very heavy duty. 

"Electric ledge deterrents, audio deterrents and regularly flying birds of prey can all scare away gulls from sites. 

"Killing a gull is only done as a very last resort and in a way detailed in a wildlife licence (general or individual) issued by a government department." 

Their droppings, noise and defense of nest sites make them a health and safety risk, according to Clean Kill pest control.

And the Royal Society for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds recommends the best way to tackle a gull problem is to reduce the availability of food.

Simply switching from bin bags to a wheelie bin can have a huge positive impact on the amount of seagull disruption, the charity added.

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