Seagulls are so misunderstood and maligned. Susie Ferguson (although I didn't hear her comments), is being typically urban and arrogantly human. I know heaps of 'animal lovers' who only love animals that keep a respectful distance from them. As soon as an animal comes into 'your' space, it is instantly resented. Up here in Russell, the generally-rare weka is fairly common, but people hate them because they can dig up garden plants and - horror! - come into the house and leave a mess. There is no thought of the incredible privilege of living in such close proximity to a rare bird. I regard the Korero Black-backed gull almost as a totem animal. They are so canny, adaptable and resilent, such fine parents and so resourceful - all traits that we admire in human beings. I reckon that they are one bird who will still be around, even when we have trashed most of the planet, because they will learn and adapt. Gulls are brilliant birds.
I once rang a bird rescue place up in the far north, to help me with a gull I'd found with a broken wing. They laughed at me on the phone. Said 'but its just a gull'. I was mortified. What does that even mean??!!! It was a beautiful bird and needed help. Cant stand spp snobbery.
Seagulls are so misunderstood and maligned. Susie Ferguson (although I didn't hear her comments), is being typically urban and arrogantly human. I know heaps of 'animal lovers' who only love animals that keep a respectful distance from them. As soon as an animal comes into 'your' space, it is instantly resented. Up here in Russell, the generally-rare weka is fairly common, but people hate them because they can dig up garden plants and - horror! - come into the house and leave a mess. There is no thought of the incredible privilege of living in such close proximity to a rare bird. I regard the Korero Black-backed gull almost as a totem animal. They are so canny, adaptable and resilent, such fine parents and so resourceful - all traits that we admire in human beings. I reckon that they are one bird who will still be around, even when we have trashed most of the planet, because they will learn and adapt. Gulls are brilliant birds.
I once rang a bird rescue place up in the far north, to help me with a gull I'd found with a broken wing. They laughed at me on the phone. Said 'but its just a gull'. I was mortified. What does that even mean??!!! It was a beautiful bird and needed help. Cant stand spp snobbery.