Lokki luodot help could reduce city gull problems

Restoring gull nesting islets on inland lakes could curb urban gull conflicts by drawing birds away from towns, according to Finnish conservation experts.

Metsähallitus and the regional Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment removed dense vegetation from small islets and skerries on Sysmäjärvi in Outokumpu, allowing gulls to reclaim the open nesting sites. The return of gulls brought with it declining waterfowl species that shelter within gull colonies.

“Many diving ducks, such as tufted ducks, and dabbling ducks like mallards and teal, move their broods into gull colonies for protection,” said Ismo Laakso, conservation specialist at Metsähallitus. “Gulls deter predators simply by flocking together and raising the alarm.”

For effective defence, a colony must be large enough and situated in open terrain so birds can spot approaching threats. On Sysmäjärvi, common gulls and black terns have settled on islets cleared to as little as a few square metres. Last winter, crews restored about 0.3 hectares—roughly half a football pitch—on one island. Despite incomplete work, the site hosted some 500 pairs of common gulls and a handful of little gulls this summer.

Elsewhere on the lake, dredging has opened shorelines where dense reed beds previously sheltered predators such as raccoon dogs, which sometimes nest in the same vegetation as waterbirds.

Gull populations have risen in cities as natural nesting sites on overgrown lakes have dwindled. “Gulls prefer quiet shorelines; when those disappear, they adapt by nesting almost anywhere,” Laakso said. He suggests that restoring islets could lure gulls back to lakes and reduce nuisance behaviour in urban areas.

The expert also noted that gulls’ reputation for aggressive attacks is overstated. “I have not seen gulls dive-bombing people en masse. Most incidents blamed on gulls actually involve terns.”