UKC

Ok, i'm lying in the backyard staring up at the sky and the sky is absolutely full of seagulls. Theres definitely a few ordinary gulls and a few black headed terns. All gliding about, different heights, just kind of flying about in a big flock. I dont live anywhere near the sea. Theres a big lake 2 miles away but thats not where they are. I like nearer the peak district than the sea.
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In reply to Hotbad Peteel:

That'll be the landfill site you call home.

In reply to Hotbad Peteel:

Must a be a rubbish pit not far.

In reply to Sandrine:

pretty sure there isnt. I'd be able to see it on google maps.
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In reply to Hotbad Peteel:

They are hot, they're flying to keep cool?

In reply to Hotbad Peteel:

this is were i live. No landfill sites nearby
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=53.497633,-2...
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In reply to Hotbad Peteel: not too far from the sea here and seagulls always congregate when a farmer ploughs a field - but it's the wrong time of year for ploughing isn't it??

In reply to Hotbad Peteel:

But how can we trust you. You could be posting that to put your stalkers off the scent.

In reply to Jason Kirk:

yeah yeah yeah. We've heard you claiming to be scottish.
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In reply to Hotbad Peteel:
Its all the thermal currents this time of day, making it easier for them to hang around up there, but more importantly...

They are feeding off flying ants midiges etc that have ben dragged up there. Can you see the odd housemartin/swift?

In reply to Hotbad Peteel:

It is flying ant time of year, so I expect they will be eating the flying ants...?

In reply to MaxWilliam:

bingo. I've been brushing those little buggers off me all afternoon
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In reply to Hotbad Peteel: As far as seagulls are concerned the Uk is just a big island, err, well it is as far as humans are concerned too. So they are never far from the sea, you can see seagulls anywhere in the UK.

In reply to Al Evans:

Apparently (I'm told) there is no such thing as a Seagull. Try looking it up in a bird book....

In reply to Hotbad Peteel:

It will be all the ones that are not in Dublin. Lived round there for a few years and never saw any sea gulls - was sure there was something sinister going on ... bit disappointed to find they were just on an extended jolly to the NW.

In reply to stoo:

Ah, that explains it. We saw exactly the same thing yesterday - millions of seagulls flying around together. We ARE near the sea, but I've never seen that many together at one time. No rubbish tip, no fields being ploughed (which was my first thought), must have been the flying ants. Must admit, I didn't thing seagulls ate insect, I thought they were more fish / carrion / general rubbish feeders. But the ant theory makes perfect sense