Lesser Black-Backed Gulls Avoid Offshore Wind Farms Despite Nearby Fishing Activity

Ecologists from the Netherlands recently tracked the movement of lesser black-backed gulls near offshore wind farms to determine how the birds interact with energy infrastructure. The study, which focused on a colony located on the Dutch island of Neeltje Jans, found that the gulls generally avoid wind farms despite the presence of fishing activity within those areas. These findings provide new data regarding how seabirds navigate and utilize marine environments occupied by wind energy installations.

Researchers monitored the flight paths and foraging habits of the gulls to observe their proximity to turbines and their response to commercial fishing vessels operating nearby. While fishing boats often attract seabirds due to the availability of food, the data indicates that the gulls maintain distance from the wind farms even when fishing activity occurs in the vicinity. The investigation highlights specific behavioral patterns of the species in response to human-made structures at sea, offering a clearer picture of how these birds distribute themselves across their natural habitat in the presence of offshore energy developments.

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Date: June 9, 2026

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GOAI