Seagulls
The gull family comprises about 55 species. Most gull species live along coastlines. They are found almost worldwide, with the greatest diversity in the temperate and cold climates of both hemispheres. They usually begin breeding in their third or fourth year.
Ten species of gulls are found in Schleswig-Holstein alone. The most common gull species on the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts and in Lower Saxony are the black-headed gull, the herring gull, the lesser black-backed gull, and, in smaller numbers, the great black-backed gull and the common gull.
Typical problems with seagulls include:
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Hygiene and noise problems caused by nesting and droppings
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Odor nuisance from the waste
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High cleaning costs due to nests, droppings and feathers
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Clogged drains due to nesting material and food scraps
Since gulls are opportunistic feeders, they have quickly learned that they can steal food from humans in urban and tourist areas and launch attacks on perceived food providers. (Unfortunately, this has often been initiated by feeding them.) If these attacks become excessive, appropriate deterrent measures should be implemented. During the breeding season, gulls sometimes attack people who they perceive as getting too close to their young.
Some species, such as the herring gull, have become synanthropic and populate favorable feeding habitats of all kinds, especially in winter, such as arable land, landfills, sewage treatment plants, settling ponds and fish or meat processing plants, as well as ports and waters in cities.
