Photo: Silvio Hesse
Gulls are almost always there.
On the water, above the water, sometimes far away from it.
Perhaps that's why we don't always look closely.
They often seem like background – something that just belongs.
Yet gulls are astonishingly versatile.
There are many gulls
There are many different species of gulls, even if people often just say "gull." If you pay closer attention, you quickly notice:
They not only look different, but they also behave and move differently.
On the North and Baltic Seas, you most commonly encounter:
- Herring Gull – large, strong, often found on beaches and in harbors
- Common Gull – smaller, appears calmer, frequently found in meadows
- Black-headed Gull – recognizable by its dark head in summer
Why gulls sometimes seem loud
Gulls sometimes have a reputation for being loud and intrusive.
Anyone who has carelessly walked along the harbor promenade with their ice cream or fish sandwich and found themselves in the sights of these clever birds will be able to confirm this.
So, yes, gulls can be loud and intrusive – but only in certain situations:
- when they are hungry and fighting over food
- when many are in a confined space
- in harbors or on promenades
Apart from that, they are often surprisingly quiet.
Gulls can exude an incredibly persistent calmness and enhance moments simply by their presence – whether they are waiting, resting, or letting themselves drift with the current or the wind.
For us, they are often the most loyal companions on and by the water.
What gulls actually do all day
A large part of their day is not spent flying, although they are amazingly efficient in the air and can stay aloft for long periods by using the wind without many wingbeats.
Gulls spend a lot of time on the ground or in the water.
There, they actively search for food – often slowly and without haste.
This behavior is often observed:
They stand by or in the water and observe the surface.
Or they take a few steps, stop again, and then peck precisely.
This usually involves:
- small crabs
- mussels
- worms
- or fish swimming close to the surface
Photos: Silvio Hesse
Some gulls simply let themselves drift on the water and wait for an opportunity to arise.
This seems unspectacular but is quite efficient.
They consume little energy and react only when it's worthwhile.
They also approach snack hunting strategically and purposefully. Studies even show that gulls observe humans closely and remember where it's worth getting closer. They learn quickly – and adapt their behavior accordingly.
Clever on the go
Gulls are not specialists. They are designed to cope with whatever is available.
That's why you can find them not only on the beach, but also:
- in meadows
- in harbors
- in cities
- or far out at sea
They move between these places effortlessly.
This is precisely what distinguishes them from many other coastal birds, which are more tied to specific habitats.
A different perspective
When you only see gulls in busy areas, they sometimes seem loud and intrusive.
When you observe them outside of that, something else stands out:
How long they can remain still.
How precise individual movements are.
And how they absorb and utilize the flow of their environment.
They are not always spectacular, but very confident, clear, and calm in what they do.
Photo: Silvio Hesse
What remains
Gulls don't always stand out immediately.
Not because they are inconspicuous,
but because one has grown accustomed to them.
They are arguably the icons par excellence when it comes to coast and sea.
But if you start to look more closely, you quickly realize
that they are far more than just "the birds by the sea."
They stand for peace, presence, reduction, and for seizing the moment.
Photo: Silvio Hesse
