‘B’ is for Bold Black-Headed Gull

I was one of those ignorant types who thought ‘gull’ and ‘seagull’ were interchangeable terms. In fact ‘seagull’ is a fairly meaningless word, though often used to describe herring gulls. But not, definitely not black headed gulls. These birds we so commonly see round here, some fifty miles from the sea, are quite at home here in the fields. They’re sociable: they’re quarrelsome: they’re noisy. And they’re happiest snatching a meal when tractors are out and about, sowing seeds or harvesting and generally making free food available. As you can see. These scenes are from exactly this time last year, from a farmer’s field just up the road.

I thought a ditty, a bit of doggerel was called for, helped along by memories of a Harvest Festival hymn.

They plough the fields and scatter
the good seed on the land.
Black-headed gulls will follow -
rapacious thieving band!

‘All good gifts around us come from the farmers’ fields
We’ll scoff the lot, not care a jot and decimate your yields.’

We’ve had some snow in winter.
The gulls have had it rough.
Now seeds and rain and sunshine
mean life’s no longer tough.

‘All good gifts around us come from the farmers’ fields.
We’ll scoff the lot, not care a jot and decimate your yields.’

Six Word Saturday

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

55 thoughts on “‘B’ is for Bold Black-Headed Gull”

  7. Thanks for teaching me that. I always wondered since the gulls (!) I usually see have never seen the sea. Although, just “gulls” sounds terribly … naked?

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  11. I’m also one of the ignorant types — had no idea there were gulls other than seagulls! Those black-headed birds are certainly pretty, despite their thieving nature.

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  17. Haha… I am happily singing along! We have plenty of the herring gulls here, they usually only come on to the fields when it is very stormy out at sea. They prefer being in town, hopefully for a chip or too or perhaps a pasty or sausage roll from some poor unsuspecting tourist. I guess they are having to go out and catch their own fish right now, if they can remember how to!

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    1. They probably can’t. And by the way, Becky, Debbie, Cee et al have been trying to help me sort out my WP Admin problem. No joy yet, and unfortunately your link didn’t get me where I wanted to be. I’ll get there!

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  18. Wow, that is a lot of gulls. Hope they left some seeds for the farmer… I hadn’t heard of other gulls than seagulls either, but that isn’t surprising, since I don’t really know much about birds.

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  19. Thank you for setting me straight on “gull” & “seagull”. I, too, thought they were interchangeable. And interestingly, but narrowly, the “gull” I know is the “seagull”.

    Love your description of them: sociable, quarrelsome, noisy. They certainly must make their presence known!

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  21. Beautiful captures of the opening image. What a beautiful scene!
    “…come from the farmers’ fields.” I love it. Thank you for the post, Margaret!

    Like

  22. beautiful capture Margaret especially the gulls hovering over the tractor! love this line: “All good gifts around us come from the farmers’ fields” 🙂

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  23. Always wonder how they manage white on brown, but perhaps they don’t make for a tasty meal, but can see they themselves have adapted well to decimate others’ yields. A snappy text and image post, thank you.

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