The Gulls Runneth Over

By Susan Wylie

In early June, Le Nichoir, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Hudson,
Quebec received 240 nestling and fledgling ring-billed gulls and 1 herring
gull chick after the birds fell off the roofs of some industrial buildings
in Montreal. Unfortunately this is becoming a common issue in the area with
gulls nesting in inappropriate areas such as on flat roofed, industrial
buildings. These initially offer the adults an apparently great nesting site
with few predators to harass their chicks. Unfortunately, there are other
problems that can result in high levels of chick mortality.  After many
attempts at encouraging building owners to return the gulls on the roof and
not intervene, the birds were brought to Le Nichoir for care.

A strategic plan was instantly put into place, volunteers were recruited,
new caging was purchased, large amount of fish were bought (primary source
of diet) and a large aviary was built to ensure that the birds had the
appropriate housing and the best of care.

Overall, of the 240 intakes, 225 healthy and viable ring-billed gulls and 1 herring
gull were released after 6 weeks of care. Le Nichoir worked closely with the
scientific community including biologists from the University of Quebec in Montreal to
have all the birds banded with both metal and identification bands and given
a physical examination. All this was overseen by the Environment Canada
enforcement division, biologists and permit officers to ensure that the
appropriate protocols were taken. Since then there have been multiple
sightings of the gulls, who have seem to have adapted well, including one
recently seen in Florida!