Gulls on a pedestal. Article and pics by Jenny Steer.
There is a great deal of commotion around these last days. Builders have started the last phase of the refurbishment which is presently centred on the roof which overlooks Neptune Court. How annoying and tiresome it has been for the beautiful pair of Herring Gulls that are my very considerate neighbours! Such an inopportune time, just when nesting season is almost upon us. Already the Gull’s distinct song of love drifts in through various windows during the day.
This particular Herring Gull pair appear to hold quite a portfolio of property around here. Their main Nest House is situated in Preston Street, slightly to the West of my lounge front window. Then they have a clutch of five other rooftop properties which lie adjacent and this time directly in view. Added to these they have had possession of a rather pleasant rooftop hangout (which they tend to frequent more in the afternoons) and which can be seen from the rear of my own property with the wonderful scene of the Cathedral.
However, a roof replacement has dashed all hopes of such luxuries as afternoon naps whilst basking lazily in the rays of a warm spring sun. The tiles are being stripped off at quite a pace and temporary plastic covers stake out man’s claim. Soon, the perfectly situated sandy-like tiles will be replaced with a ‘gullproof’ roof. The new construction is considered to be quite inhospitable to gulls.
Gazing out the back window in sadness at the immanent departure of such a luxuriant place for these creatures – I had a thought! How I would love to be able to touch and hold dear something that these wonderful birds loved so much themselves and in touching what they had touched I would somehow touch them! Silly, I know but somehow quite lovely.
I hurried down to enquire of the site manager what was to be done with the Gull’s lounging pedestal – the vent ridge tile on the roof. He goodheartedly confirmed that I could have it and that he would leave it for me in the garden. It is a sturdy, thick and slightly curved piece of beautiful orange sandy stone with amazingly abstract Gull markings! A wonderful observation platform. Little wonder the Gulls were so upset at its removal.
In late afternoon after the builders had packed up and gone home the Gulls returned to inspect the damage. I noticed on the first evening that the male Gull was tugging and pointedly pecking at the plastic sheet that had covered the gap. The female however seemed quite indifferent. Conversely, the following evening the roles were reversed and the female jabbed and hammered at the plastic intruder with all her might while her mate stood gazing away in apparent disinterest. The membrane held steady. This evening there was no attack on the unwanted cover. Were they now resigned to what was inevitably the loss of a valued roof seat? Because tonight saw them taking their stand on the pedestal that was the last remaining ridge tile at the far end of the roof. Plastic is defined in biology as: adaptability to change in the environment.
They took to the air at around 6.15pm having made no further attempts to separate the plastic from its new environment. A light breeze caused the sheet to flutter signalling their inevitable defeat with an almost imperceptible mocking wave.
