Picture gulls and you may envision the seaside, but it is actually Bushey that has become a “much-needed sanctuary” for thousands of these endangered birds.
Hilfield Park Reservoir is managed in partnership by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and site owners Affinity Water, with the aim of conserving and enhancing wildlife.
Situated between Elstree and Bushey, the nature reserve has become a “vital roost site” for five species of gulls – the great black-backed gull, lesser black-backed gull, herring gull, common gull and black-headed gull.
Additionally, on most days throughout the colder months, small numbers of mediterranean gull, scarcely seen in Hertfordshire, also come to the area to roost.
Interestingly, though uniformly recognised as ‘seagulls’, scientifically there is no such thing.
Gulls’ numbers have been in freefall since the 1970s due to habitat loss and the scarcity of food sources, leading to the loss of around three-quarters of the UK’s gull population over the last 55 years.
Josh Kalms, people and wildlife officer at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, said: “Gulls need somewhere safe to spend the night and they find that refuge at Hilfield Park Reservoir.
“At this, the darkest time of year, gulls can spend up to 14 hours bobbing on the water, where predators are less able to reach them.
“As it begins to get light, they take flight and head off to feed on rubbish tips, arable fields and playing fields – some of these may be over 30 miles from their roost.”
Photo: Tim Hill
0 Comments