Gulls simply wanna have enjoyable: B.C. seagull squawk showdown returns

Gulls simply wanna have enjoyable: B.C. seagull squawk showdown returns

Published 8:46 am Wednesday, May 6, 2026

A European import with a distinctly Victoria flavour is about to as soon as once more ruffle some feathers and shatter the standard calm of Beacon Hill Park.

Migrating again to Victoria for a second time is the Scream Like A Seagull contest, which challenges chicken lovers of all ages to throw again their heads and exhibit their greatest impression of the a lot maligned and misunderstood chicken.

Hosted by Rocky Point Bird Observatory Society (RPBO), the competition is one many occasions deliberate for World Migratory Bird Day celebrations May 9, which kick off Victoria Bird Week, May 10-17.

“Last year we threw it in as a last-minute thing, we didn’t expect it to blow up as much as it did,” stated Simone Littledale, RPBO schooling chair.

The contest is impressed by the more and more in style annual European Seagull Screeching Championship in Belgium, now in its sixth 12 months.

This 12 months’s showdown within the Belgian coastal city ​De Panne attracted greater than 70 individuals from 15 nations, with Norwegian entrant Carine Gronholz, hovering to victory with a near-perfect rating.

Like the European contest, Littledale hopes the Victoria occasion will problem the detrimental stereotype of gulls, which are sometimes painted as noisy pests, ready for the proper second to swipe meals out of your hand.

“They get a bad rap, but they are survivors,” she says. “They’ve tailored to dwell within the very tough situations that we’ve given them.

“A lot of bird species couldn’t hack it in the city, so being able to manage that is impressive in its own right.”

Gulls are additionally clever and exquisite birds, she provides.

“We consider all these white birds that we love – swans, pelicans and doves – and we’ve acquired this very pretty white chicken that we see daily and but it’s related to trash and rubbish.

“But they’re beautiful, especially when you see some of them getting into their breeding plumage, they’re pretty spectacular.”

Beyond the squawks and laughs, the competition additionally serves as a platform to lift consciousness in regards to the challenges dealing with birds. Many chicken populations are in decline, together with some gull species.

“Our bird numbers are dropping at a pretty precipitous rate,” she says. “Some families more so than others, but gulls are included in that.”

New for this 12 months’s contest will probably be a panel of three movie star judges, together with reigning Scream Like A Seagull champion, Virgin Radio host Johnny Novak – leaving this 12 months’s competitors huge open for hopefuls.

As for the identification of the opposite two judges, Littledale is protecting her playing cards near her chest, however she says they’re well-known native names.

“I did send an email to Canadian rapper bbno$ and Pamela Anderson, but they did not respond,” she provides with fun.

For aspiring squawkers, Littledale recommends utilizing the Merlin or eBird cell apps to hearken to the completely different calls of the various gull species present in Victoria.

“And don’t be nervous, everyone’s going make a fool of themselves at some point in their life, so why not do it on purpose,” she says.

“Scream with your full chest because if you half-ass it, it’s not going to sound as good as if you just really go for it.”

One one who received’t be participating is life-long birder and Victoria resident Pieter Poll.

“No, I don’t think so, I probably wouldn’t do very well at it,” he says when approached by Victoria News at Cattle Point.

But whereas he is likely to be protecting his impression to himself, he shares Littledale’s ardour for the gull.

“I think a lot of people call them seagulls and think of the problems they cause,” stated Poll. “But if you look a little more closely, you’ll be quite fascinated by them – and we’re blessed to live in a place where we have a huge variety of gull species to enjoy.”

One standout is the Bonaparte’s gull, which Littledale ranks as her “favourite bird today,” whose distinctive “goblin screech” might make it an incredible candidate for wannabe impersonators.

“It’s kind of like when you see someone and they’re really attractive and then they have like a terrible laugh,” she says with a way more mild chuckle.

RPBO’s Scream Like A Seagull takes place Saturday May 9, at 12:30 p.m., close to Beacon Hill Children’s Farm. World Migratory Bird Day occasions run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For extra details about RPBO and their upcoming occasions, together with Victoria Bird Week, go to: rpbo.org.

READ MORE: Feather in his cap: Victoria man’s seagull screech soars above the rest.