There is much to admire about Silver Gulls despite the fact that they are often maligned due to their adaptability to human encroachment. Some issues could be mitigated if organic waste was dealt with differently at landfill sites and gulls subsequently reduced in number. Regardless of the controversy they are a remarkable species.
Silver Gull with chick
Parent birds share the duties related to breeding. This mottled nestling is being fed with regurgitated food, it is in the process of swallowing a mouthful which can just be seen heading south. Silver Gulls generally lay three eggs in a scrape lined with vegetation. They nest in colonies and although this was the only hatchling I saw there were several young birds around, mostly only one or two per nest.
Silver Gull chick
Most of these images were taken on Phillip Island, at the breeding area around The Nobbies. The chicks, above and below, are standing on Little Penguin nesting boxes.
Silver Gull chick
Preening is a risky activity when chicks are this young – this little tacker over-balanced and fell into the dry grasses. I like the ‘fluffy ball’ look as it preened and think its feet look fascinating, quite reptilian.
Silver Gull chick
The chick above was still at the nesting site but well on its way to independence. I find the softer look of the youngsters more appealing than the brighter whites and the red eye-ring, bill and legs of the adults.
Silver Gulls
This flying youngster seems to be getting a stern look from the adult.
It’s been a crazily busy week with a few thousand images added to the Lightroom catalogue, a few of which I plan to share next week.
Happy birding, Kim
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