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“Gulls breed on islands in rivers or lakes, but there is a great lack of these habitats: they are covered in bushes if left unattended. Such habitats also have a high risk of nest subsidence due to the dynamics of valdens. The islands artificial are one of the means to create new homes for these birds. It has become increasingly used in several countries, “says Gintaras Riauba, ornithologist at the Baltic Environmental Forum, who coordinated the installation of such an island for the benefits of artificial islands for seagulls.
According to the naturalist, irresponsible human behavior also causes significant harm to hatching gulls. When visiting rivers, people sometimes even unknowingly spook the hatching birds, and unattended nests can be easily accessed by predators.
Photo from the Baltic Environmental Forum / Artificial island for seagulls
“As a result, by installing an artificial seagull island in Trakai, we move it away from the coast so that the seagulls feel safe,” says G. Riauba.
Although both naturalists in Lithuania and abroad have installed artificial seagull islands in recent years, their installation is a delicate process that requires more detailed investigation.
“The Lithuanian Ornithological Society and other organizations are currently testing various installation technologies on islands, producing metal and wood constructions, thinking of various measures for the protection of minors, testing various raft installation sites.
In some cases, seagulls perch, in others they don’t. We hope that this island of ours will contribute to the development of artificial island technology. If we don’t catch seagulls next season, we’ll try to move the raft to another location, maybe try another anchoring technology or make other improvements. At least the ducks on our artificial island were impressed: as soon as they let the island into the lake, they settled there ”, says Rita Grinienė, representative of the Baltic Environmental Forum, about the island installation.
Naturalists ask people to stay away from artificial seagull islands, especially during the warm season, when seagulls should settle there. “We invite you to enjoy the seagulls. It is a wonderful and elegant bird. You can learn to distinguish the seagulls from the much more common seagulls. However, let’s respect the privacy of the seagulls, the safety of your little ones and observe them with binoculars from the shore ”, G. Riauba asks for the understanding of the people.
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