Pumpkin the Lucky Young Urban Gull

Story by M Andre, photos by Lin Vitali

Note: The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of RetoxMagazine.com

Pumpkin the Lucky Young Urban Gull

Above: Pumpkin, the rescued juvenile herring gull. Image by Lin Vitali.

Pumpking the Herring Gull

An incredible and inspiring survival story of a lucky juvenile gull named Pumpkin.

From the Gutter to the Ground

The young gull was first spotted on the edge of a roof in a rain gutter where the gull spent over 24 hours. The edges of the gutter were broken and the young gull had to negotiate a tight squeeze with sharp barriers. Adult gulls were following the juvenile, communicating with the juvenile, and possibly even guiding the juvenile. After a day in the fourth floor gutter, the juvenile managed to get grounded. Although hungry, tired and stressed, the youngster could now be reached by his parents and be fed.

Facing the Dogs of the Hood

While enjoying the little green patch of communal space, the juvenile gull quickly learnt that this space is shared. And with all things that are shared it can get ugly. The juvenile gull, yet unable to fly, was attacked by a domestic dog.

The owner refrained the dog from causing further injuries to the gull, however the damage was already done.

In total panic and running around like a headless chicken, the young gull was now extremely distressed and bleeding.

A local resident picked up the gull and took it in for safe keeping until RSPCA is called out. To everyone's surprise the RSPCA's prerecorded automated service would hang-up at the end of the message and for the gull this meant that RSPCA was not coming!

The caller phoned RSPCA number 03001234999 and was connected to a pre-recorded service with options. The caller pressed option 2 for "wildlife", followed by option 1 for "sick or injured wildlife", and finally followed by option 1 for "if you found a young bird".

Luckily after a few hours the bleeding had stopped and the gull was now calm, chilling out in the balcony. The parents were also aware of the juvenile’s location and they sat on the chimney of a building in close proximity keeping a close eye on the gull. They youngster and the parents had a frequent catch up chat.

Juvenile Gull’s Dietary Needs

After having phoned RSPB for advice, it was clear that the parents would not come to the balcony to feed the juvenile. And also the juvenile should really be practicing to fly, which would not have been possible in a compact space of an average sized balcony of a residential building.

After spending the night in the balcony, the gull was taken outside and placed within a large fenced off area of grass next to a residential building - a perfect feeding space and a good size runway. The residents following the gull's activity were hopeful this was the day he will fly. The heatwave was now kicking in.

Pumpkin Loves a Good Splash About!

Residents placed bowls of water to help Pumpkin survive through the heat.

Juvenile herring gull at water bowl - photo1 Juvenile herring gull at water bowl - photo2 Juvenile herring gull at water bowl - photo3 Juvenile herring gull at water bowl - photo4 Juvenile herring gull at water bowl - photo5 Juvenile herring gull at water bowl - photo6

Pumpkin the young gull enjoyed his water bowl so much, he kept on getting in and out...

While some of the local residents were not clear about what bird this was or what it eats, most of them empathised with the young gull’s situation and tried to help the bird the best way they knew how. One resident even dropped six pieces of what looked like buttered toast! Amongst offerings there was water melon, apple, a large variety of bread and various containers of water. While you may think this is 'cute' or 'sweet', it actually isn’t. Such a young gull would not have any interest in toast and it relies on its parents to feed him. While this may not seem obvious straight away, so long as there is space where the youngster is, the parents will come down to feed him. The water on the other hand, given the temperature during those days, was a grand idea!

Inevitably, the toast, the bread and all other offerings attracted pigeons, irritated a few neighbours and possibly became the foundation of a warning letter from the Housing Manager, stating "You should be aware that feeding the birds with seeds and bread poses a health hazard as it attracts vermin to the surrounding buildings. Please help keep your community clean and make sure that you dispose of your household waste in the bins provided." - And so rightly said.

Pumpkin the Gull Survives Numerous Cats and a Fox

Following RSPCA's prerecorded advice it was decided to leave the juvenile gull outside overnight. The gull was no longer bleeding and the parents were keeping a close eye on him. Numerous neighbors also sat at their windows keeping a close eye on the gull and shooing the predators away.

Based on various reports it was estimated that Pumpkin faced a predator an hour throughout the night. The highlight being a visit from a large fox that was targeting the juvenile gull, but as the adult gulls communicated with the juvenile to guide him into a nearby bush, the thirsty fox got distracted by the bowl of water and gave enough time for a resident to run out with a broom and chase the fox off. This was reported to have happened at around 4am.

An interesting observation was that the adult gulls did not allow the little one to sleep throughout the night, constantly trying to upkeep communication with the juvenile gull. When there was no danger in site, the older gulls would direct the juvenile out of the bush and onto the grass, probably so that they could see him. When there was danger in site, the older gulls directed the juvenile into the bush. The older gulls would also start flying over the predators' heads to scare off as the predator would approach the juvenile gull, however this tactic did not work with the fox. The night was very long and noisy, yet people and gulls worked together to keep Pumpkin safe.

Even Gulls Get Sticky-Eyed

Herring Gull

Completley exhausted after 24 hours without sleep, Pumpkin the juvenile gull catches up with a nap in total safety on a local resident's balcony.

As the morning came, all the gulls were so exhausted and Pumpkin no longer had an efficient guard layer from his now sleepy parents. A resident took the gull in once again and kept it in the balcony. Apparently Pumpkin was so tired he just closed his eyes and dosed off.

Another Failed Take-off

Later on in the day Pumpkin was placed back on the grass so that he could get fed and get on with his flying lessons - Pumpkin still had the support from his troop of gulls who did not give up on the juvenile that easily.

Herring Gull

Pumpkin the juvenile gull exercised his wings and attempted to lift off the ground on many occasions, but without a successful takeoff.

Sadly, no matter how hard the young gull tried to take-off, it just wasn't going to happen. It was becoming clear at this point that the dog attack has done enough damage to the wing and the primary feathers on the right wing, the area that was bleeding, were now starting to fall out.

Life, Love and Drama in the Big Wilde World of Gulls

While Pumpkin the juvenile gull was on the balcony, the parents spent a lot of time sitting on a chimney in close proximity and staring right down into the balcony, allowing us to capture some amazing visuals.

Herring Gull

Pumpkin's mum and dad, the herring gulls, discuss rescue strategy for the juvenile.

Herring Gull

An eye to eye with Pumpkin's mother-gull! - Well, actually it is unclear whether it is the mother, but it is certainly a close relation to Pumpkin the gull, keeping a close watchful eye on the balcony where the juvenile gull was put up. The look this gull gave us was deadly...

Herring Gull

Sadly, all beautiful things come to an end. Pictured is a random herring gull that came to its end in Pumpkin's neighbourhood. The dead gull may or may not be related to Pumpkin.

So What of Pumpkin?

With difficulties getting through to RSPCA and valid information on where to take an injured bird to not easily available on Google, the future for the juvenile gull was starting to look bleak. This was especially daunting because the bird had damage to some of the feathers but seemed otherwise healthy, was very active and had a fantastic personality! Leaving him outside to his own devices would have equaled an execution.

Luck has it, after many journeys through Google, the Riverside Animal Centre was discovered. Boom! The Riverside Wildlife Unit was precisely what we were hoping to find all along. A phone call later, it was decided that Pumpkin will be joining other gulls in this fabulous place in Beddington Park.

The Riverside Animal Centre in Beddington Park have their own avian vet on site and have rescued many gulls in the past. In fact, on the Riverside Animal Centre's Facebook page they mentioned April 28 2013,"14 juvenile Herring Gulls from last year all released down on the Sussex Coast by myself and Hayden on Friday....a lot of time and care, not to mention several kilos of whitebait, sardines, red mullet, dog food etc has gone into getting those birds ready for the big wide world. Good luck boys and girls....it's cod and chips all the way now!"

Pumpkin indeed has a future! And it will probably be on the Sussex Coast :)

10 Points for Top Behaviour!

Herring Gull

Pumpkin the gull gets to sit in a freshly cleaned out cat box lent by a neighbour's mother in a campaign to save this lovely bird. The catbox was not ideal, but the only option available. The juvenile gull remained totally calm throughout the journey despite travelling on a bus from Edgware Road to London Victoria and then an overground train towards Beddington Park during the morning rush hour.

Despite all odds, Pumpkin the juvenile gull made it to Beddington Park!

Visit the Riverside Animal Centre on August 25

Come along and visit the Riverside Animal Centre on August 25, when the charity will be holding an open day. The Riverside Animal Centre Open Day will give you an opportunity to say hello to Pumpkin as well as other wonderful animals and get to know the wonderful work the charity does.

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