Uptown baby gulls getting creamed by cars, woman says

A Saint John woman is pleading with drivers not to run over baby seagulls on the city's uptown streets.

Trudy Clark said she's noticed a number of young gulls this year on Germain Street, on the block between between King and Union streets.

Two of the birds were recently struck by cars, she said. One was killed and the other was injured, unable to fly.  

Clark said the birds "can't quite manage the uptown area." 

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"Perhaps we could just shout out to people using that block to beware of these new baby seagulls," she said.

"It would be a lovely thing if we could show a little bit respect for these new birds."

Jim Wilson, a birder in Quispamsis, said the birds are likely herring gulls, the most common gulls in Saint John and off the coast.

In recent years, Wilson said, there has been an increased number of the birds on local streets, and they've taken to nesting on the tops of buildings, particularly uptown.

"They'll bring nesting material in on top of the roof because it's hard for predators to get there," he said.

In May and June, Wilson has also noticed gulls nesting near the Reversing Falls in Saint John.

Learning to fly

More typically, he said, gulls will nest on islands in the Bay of Fundy to avoid predators. 

"This is something that has probably evolved, more so in recent years," he said of the uptown nesting.

They don't know about traffic, they don't know about people, so they end up being run over or struck by cars or having some injuries.-Jim Wilson

Wilson said this time of year, the birds are learning to fly and likely are practising on the roof.

However, they are fairly weak when they start out, he said.

"If they haven't learned to fly really well, they can easily get down on the street," he said. "They don't know about traffic, they don't know about people, so they end up being run over or struck by cars or having some injuries." 

Once the birds fly from the nest and are out on their own, they can also have a hard time finding regular sources of food. The birds can weaken and aren't as strong as gulls that live offshore and have easier access to food.

"It's learning to fly and maybe being a little bit weakened because you haven't had as much food," he said.

Being more aware

Wilson agreed that drivers need to be more aware of gulls in the area.

While most people respect wildlife, he said, they often don't notice it on city streets. 

If people happen to see an injured gull, they can send it to a veterinarian to see if something can be done.

"There's not many places you can take an injured gull and have it looked after," he said, "It's almost something you have to take on yourself."

The injured gull should be fed fresh fish, sardines or bread, he said.