Buzz
I live in Philadelphia, not too far from the Jersey Shore when traffic is light, though still a considerable distance from the ocean. Despite this, the parking lot at my local grocery store is almost always crowded with seagulls. What’s the reason behind this?
Ornithologists would clarify that “seagulls” are actually called gulls. While these birds enjoy being near water, they don’t necessarily live exclusively by the coast. The Ring-billed gull favors inland areas, and some don’t even venture near the sea. The grey gull, typically found along South America's western coast, migrates away from the shore to breed in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Even the Herring gull, regarded by the Cornell University ornithology lab as the quintessential “seagull,” can be found far from the ocean during both the breeding season in summer and the winter months.
Pennsylvania appeals to gulls, as the state is positioned between two major gull population hubs: the Atlantic Coast and the Great Lakes. This makes it a prime location for temporary or even permanent residency, with both Ring-billed and Herring gulls settling year-round in some regions. Plus, there’s an abundance of food.
“Gulls are attracted to Pennsylvania because it offers convenience,” states Joe Kosack, a Wildlife Conservation Education Specialist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. “It has rivers abundant with small aquatic creatures they can easily consume, hundreds of fast-food restaurants indirectly providing meals to gulls, and ample parking lots where they can relax.”
The primary draw of parking lots for gulls comes down to two factors. First, food. Gulls are opportunistic feeders, consuming a wide variety of available food rather than focusing on a single type. They’ll eat fish, insects, small mammals, fruits, and a range of discarded human waste. Parking lots provide an abundance of garbage and scraps, especially near supermarkets or restaurants, with dumpsters, trash cans, and litter left behind by people who can’t be bothered to use either. Additionally, manicured lawns and other landscaped areas surrounding the pavement are prime locations for finding bugs.
The second advantage parking lots offer is their spacious, open, and level terrain. This allows gulls to gather in large groups near food sources while also providing them with clear views in every direction, making it easier for them to watch for any potential threats.
