The peace and quiet of Beacon Hill Park is soon to be shattered – a flock of unusual human-sized seagulls are on their way.
Rocky Point Bird Observatory (RPBO) is hosting Victoria's first 'Scream-like-a-gull contest' – an event so entertaining it should be 'ille-gull'.
Inspired by the European Championship Gull Screeching contest, which takes place every year in the Belgian coastal town of De Panne, the competition invites folks to throw back their heads and give their best seagull impersonation.
At this year's championship, 60 participants from 14 countries, dressed in gull costumes, competed in three categories – adult, junior and colony, with a jury awarding points based on sound and performance.
Ten-year-old Cooper Wallace from England swooped in to win the junior category for the second year running – news that caught the attention of Simone Littledale from RPBO, who teaches kids of a similar age.
"It's really hilarious," she said. “And I thought that this would be a pretty fun thing to bring to Victoria."
The contest is one of many events organized by RPBO to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day on May 10, which this year is highlighting the urgent need for bird-friendly cities and how individuals and communities can support their feathered neighbours.
While the noisy event encourages fun, Littledale hopes the Scream-like-a-gull contest will also help draw attention to some of the conservation issues facing gull species, including the "threatened" California gull, which migrates via Vancouver Island in the fall.
“Gulls are something that people think of as really ubiquitous, but they face the same kind of climate and habitat threats that a lot of species do," she says. “They are really adaptable, but they're also vulnerable.”
As one of the judges, Littledale knows exactly what she’s looking for in the winner. “You've got to fully commit,” she says. “You can’t do a gull call by half measures, you have to say it with your full chest.”
For those thinking about taking part, she recommends listening and becoming familiar with the different calls local gulls make. Also utilizing resources such as the Merlin Bird ID app – a free mobile application developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, that helps identify birds by sound, but also offers a whole library of bird calls to listen to.
And for those feeling plucky, come dressed to impress as your favourite bird – which might just earn yourself some extra points with Littledale and the judges.
But ultimately, have fun, says Littledale.
“Just honestly, people who are willing to come out and really give it their all … cause even if you don't dress up, if you have a really spectacular imitation, that is going to certainly get you points.”
The Rocky Point Bird Observatory Society celebrates World Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 10 in Beacon Hill Park – in the field by the north playground – from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. The Scream-like-a-gull contest is scheduled to take place at noon. Other highlights on the family-friendly day include a raptor demonstration, an exploration table and much more.
World Migratory Bird Day celebrations will kick off RPBO’s Victoria Bird Week, which runs from May 10 to 17. A week-long celebration of birds and birding, packed full of workshops, bird walks and other birding experiences.
For more information about the World Migratory Bird Day event and Victoria Bird Week, visit the website: .
