Seagull plague in Wilhelmshaven: insights into the city's breeding grounds!

Seagull plague in Wilhelmshaven: insights into the city's breeding grounds!

In Wilhelmshaven, the seagull population is a constant companion in the cityscape and ensures lively conversations among the residents. The herring gulls in particular are not only found on the coasts, but also increasingly on the roofs of houses and even on the roof of the town hall. This is reported by NWZ Online, which is accompanied by Klaus Börgmann, a committed conservationist from the Nabu district group in Wilhelmshaven, who has been the Development of the seagull population documented.

The young year 2025 is proving to be particularly successful for seagulls. A total of 112 pairs of herring gulls and 17 breeding pairs of herring gulls were counted on the city hall complex on the roofs of the city. The first records of herring gulls at the town hall date back to 1961. The herring gull is particularly numerous in the southern part of the city, while the herring gulls are more likely to be found on the outskirts of the city. The latter are known to be long-distance flyers and have their feeding areas more widely spread out, making them rarer in the city center.

Fascinating features of seagulls

The herring gull (Larus fuscus) has several striking features that set it apart from other seagull species. She has a slimmer physique with a body length between 49 and 57 cm. Their beak is longer and sharper than that of the herring gull, making them excellent foragers. With a wingspan of up to 158 cm, it flies elegantly over the city, always looking for food Birds Natur Wilhelmshaven.

A particularly interesting aspect: young seagulls retain their brown feathers until they are four years old. Until then, they have not yet put on their distinctive breeding plumage, which is characterized by white head, chest and belly areas. Her age can also be seen from her irises, which have red-rimmed eyes. While the herring gulls are considered almost urban pioneers, the herring gulls have become more and more established in human environments, although less frequently. This interesting development is part of the ecological change that the city of Wilhelmshaven is currently experiencing.

The breeding grounds in Wilhelmshaven

The breeding grounds in Wilhelmshaven are rich, especially at Lake Barghauser, where almost 230 breeding pairs of black-headed gulls were counted this summer. This number speaks for the attractive living conditions that the region offers the birds. The targeted documentation by Klaus Börgmann, who has been using the most modern technology such as drones to monitor the populations since 2020, shows the great commitment invested in nature conservation and the population's awareness of the importance of these animals. Parents and children can often watch the majestic flights of seagulls in the sky and are amazed by their skill.

Overall, it turns out that the seagulls in Wilhelmshaven are anything but a nuisance. On the contrary: they are part of urban life and contribute to the colorful diversity of nature in the city. One more reason to keep your eyes open and appreciate the exciting observations of the local bird world!