It’s that time of year again - when the red-billed gulls choose where to settle down and have their babies.

With a significant decrease in gull nests in Ōamaru’s town centre last year, building owners and tenants are again being reminded what they need to do ahead of this year’s breeding season.

Dr Chris Lalas, who monitors red-billed gull nesting in Otago, reported in July that an estimate of between seven and nine nests were in Ōamaru’s town centre during last year’s breeding season - a dramatic drop from the year before, when the estimate was around 150.

Meanwhile, the colony established at Graves Track has grown from an estimated 587 nests in 2022 to around 1334 nests last year. 

These numbers were arrived at using visual inspection and aerial photos of the site.

To build on last year’s success story, the Waitaki District Council and Department of Conservation are reminding people to make their buildings less appealing to the protected birds as a nesting site before it’s too late.

If the red-billed gulls choose to nest on top of a building, it can lead to expensive repairs, clogged gutters and noisy neighbours for up to five months, a council spokesperson says.

People are advised to check their roofs in the evening or early morning, if they are safely accessible, as the birds do not usually use the roof during the day, and regular human presence may be enough to make the site less attractive to the birds.

Clearing gutters and drains of debris that could be used for nest-building is also encouraged.

Identifying and preventing access to parts of the roof that are attractive to nesting gulls is also advised. These include flat ledges, gutters, flat roof surfaces, small walls or parapets that provide shelter from the wind, and high points used as lookouts.

If birds are roosting, but the nests do not have any eggs or chicks, removing nesting material is allowed, and a sudden increase in gull activity is a sign to get up there safely as soon as possible, and check it out, the spokesperson says.

Once a breeding nest is established, it is illegal to disturb or remove the nest, with the maximum penalties for disturbing wildlife up to two years in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both. 

While the red-billed gulls seem abundant, they are actually in decline nationally and protected (numbers are 50% down over the last 25 years).

“Ōamaru is a coastal area which means we’re encroaching on the gulls’ natural habitat, as much as they are on ours,” the spokesperson says.

The council can provide a list of roofing contractors in Ōamaru familiar with red-billed gulls, their protection status and managing them.

There is also information on the Council website (https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/Services/Food-and-Environmental-Health/Pest-control/Red-Billed-Gulls), or available as a flyer, providing advice and guidance for building owners and tenants.

Those who find gulls with eggs or chicks can contact Doc (0800 DOCHOT) to receive advice on the best way forward.