Seagulls in our town centres

Red-billed gulls (Tarāpunga) and black-billed gulls (Tarāpuka) have become fond of town centres in recent years, including Blenheim. They’ve taken to nesting on building roofs and can make a nuisance of themselves by leaving a mess on pavements and other surfaces.

Both species of gull are ‘at risk, declining’ and cannot be moved once they are nesting. The Department of Conservation (DOC) is responsible for native bird protection.

Building owners are responsible for maintaining their property and can install protective measures to deter gulls. Acting fast and early can discourage gulls from nesting and breeding on your building.

Gulls start looking for a place to set up for the breeding season in September. Remember, once they are nesting, it’s illegal to disturb them. Prevention is the best medicine. Gulls bring in material to start making their nests - regular roof checks and gutter cleans to remove material before it becomes a nest are the best ways to stop a colony forming.

Gulls are creatures of habit and will return to a successful nesting ground each year, but any rooftop is a potential new site. If an old site is no longer available, they will move on, and not necessarily to the building next door.

Physical barriers - bird spikes, wire, hawk kites and simple sprinkler systems - are all effective if used correctly. Try to exclude parts of the roof that are attractive to nesting gulls - like flat ledges, gutters and flat roof surfaces, small walls or parapets that provide shelter from the wind - and high points that act as bird lookouts.

The Council provides a regular pavement cleaning service and wheelie bins for businesses - please do not leave rubbish bags on the street.

DOC advises using deterrents such as bird wire, lasers, or sprinklers, and working with pest control companies for more complex situations. DOC has a network of endorsed contractors who can provide solutions and advice for deterring gulls.

Why gulls need protection

• Seagulls are not as abundant as they once were. They are now under pressure through the reduction of natural habitat and food availability, human interference and predation by introduced mammals. As a result, they are classified as ‘at-risk, declining’ which means that their population is forecast to decline by up to 70% in the next ten years
• Both red billed and black billed species are protected under the Wildlife Act; harming or disturbing them could cost up to two years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
• Take some time to learn a little more about these birds. Looking after them and their habitat is the best thing we can do to encourage them back out towards the sea where they belong.
• If you find eggs, chicks or an injured bird, phone DOC on 0800 DOCHOT - they can advise you on the best way forward.

Go to the DOC website for further information