New Research Challenges Assumptions About Gulls and Wind Farms
A recent study reveals that lesser black-backed gulls from Neeltje Jans colony tend to avoid wind farms, contradicting earlier beliefs about their attraction to fishing bycatch.
Editorial Staff
1 min read
Updated 2 days ago
Research conducted by NIOZ ecologist Rosemarie Kentie indicates that lesser black-backed gulls are not drawn to wind farms despite the presence of fishing bycatch.
The study focused on gulls from the Neeltje Jans colony and found that they generally avoid the nearby wind farm off the Zeeland coast, with only a few male gulls showing different behavior.
These findings challenge previous assumptions regarding gull behavior in relation to fishing bycatch, suggesting a more complex interaction between these birds and their environment.