birding-aus

FW: Gull stomping

To: Syd Curtis <>,
Subject: FW: Gull stomping
From: brian fleming <>
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:41:33 +1100
Silver Gulls trampling in the shallows are seeking very small bivalve molluscs such as Little Wedge Shells and possibly also worms, tiny fish and other prey. I presume they can break up the shells in their crops. A bare-footed human can collect pipis in exactly the same way.

Anthea Fleming

Syd Curtis wrote:
Greetings, Birding-aus

I quote from an email I have just received:

-------------
    "(We) are particularly fond of a cafe beside the Swan River
in East Fremantle. We usually can get a spot in the shade overlooking
the river during the morning.  The afternoon is a different matter as
that spot faces West. We don't do afternoons.

   "On several occasions I have observed a lone Silver Gull just wet side of
the waters edge of a sandy beach stomping its feet alternatively in a
kind of dance.  The action obviously turns the sand to liquid and, as it
descends leg depth into the water/sand, it plucks at morsels released
from the sand. Then it moves along a bit and repeats the process.

    "It is not just a single bird to know this behaviour as I have seen two
of them doing the same dance at the same time, though separated along
the beach by perhaps 75 metres. Mostly though, others seem content to
saunter along the beach or swim in the deep looking for tidbits.

   "Meanwhile the Terns dive for fish, which they bring ashore to split open
before swallowing.  All very entertaining."
------------

Can anyone tell me what the "stampong" gulls are likely to be getting?

Cheers

Syd

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