Thirty years ago I saw Silver Gulls in acrobatic aerial pursuit and
predation over the Seaford foreshore (near Frankston,Vic.), where there
was no artificial light at all. This was in late twilight after sunset.
They were taking advantage of a big hatch of flying ants. Welcome
Swallows were also catching the ants - quite large ones. The birds were
hunting in the last of the evening light - I wondered how dark it would
be before they couldn't see their prey.
One site where I have seen Silver Gulls using artificial light was at
Webb Dock in Melbourne, where containers are handled at all hours of day
and night. Here Silver Gulls feed on small prey in the water - perhaps
schools of very small fish attracted to the surface by the lights.
Birds were flying close to the surface, dipping or skimming for prey, as
well as swimming in their normal manner. They may also have been taking
insects from just above the water.
Anthea Fleming
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