Comedy Central: Seven Mile Marshlands Host the World’s Largest Nesting Colony of Laughing Gulls

Everyone knows that birds of a feather flock together, but for the laughing gulls in Stone Harbor and Avalon, this saying is no joke. Unknown to many, the marshlands behind Stone Harbor and Avalon host the world’s largest nesting colony of Leucophaeus atricilla, a species known as the “laughing gull” and characterized by its dark gray wings and black head.

Aerial surveys have estimated about 40,000 adult laughing gulls breeding in the marshes from Cape May to Avalon, with the highest concentration of gulls located in the marshes directly behind Stone Harbor. Seven Mile Beach’s full-time population of about 2,000 people wouldn’t stand a chance if Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” became a reality.

In the early 1900s, many species of birds faced extinction or near-extinction due to the prevalence of bird hunting for sport and hat-making. It wasn’t until the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and other similar measures that many coastal bird populations gained protection and began to recover. Since then, gull populations have skyrocketed, and the laughing gull, one of the most popular types of gulls (often informally referred to as “seagulls”), was no different.

Arriving every year in mid-March from the warm coasts of South America and Mexico, the laughing gull quickly became a fixture in Cape May’s attractive marshlands, especially those extending from Wildwood Crest to Ocean City. History might have been harsh on these birds, but in the end, it looks like the gulls had the last laugh.

Many beachgoers, however, realize that this abundance is no laughing matter. Notorious for their early-morning cacophonies of “ha-ha” cackles and stealthy afternoon picnic robberies, laughing gulls aren’t the most beloved species of birds. And, with their flawless aim, these gulls often leave their mark on windshields and clotheslines.

Still, for most people, the laughing gull is a symbol of fun and relaxation. Hearing their distant call in early June evokes feelings of excitement for the possibilities of summer. And seeing their slow, graceful flight over the ocean on lazy August afternoons instills a sense of peace and comfort. Laughing gulls, and gulls in general, are also prominently displayed in everyday shore culture, from the banner-flying gull on every page of the Seven Mile Times to the “Follow the Gull” IPA sold by the Cape May Brewing Company.

Laughing gulls also provide benefits for beachgoers in other subtle ways. For one thing, they eat insects, such as those pesky greenhead flies that hide in the dunes and prey on people walking to and from the beach. For another, their ability to steal food straight from a person’s hand, although frustrating at first, often draws laughs and giggles after the fact and keeps people in good spirits. (Just search “gull steals food” on YouTube—it’s hard to watch these videos without smiling!) In this way, the name “laughing gull” couldn’t be more appropriate, as their behavior spreads laughs and good feelings all around.

Laughing gulls are neither endangered nor exotic, and we could easily go about our days without noticing them. However, as one of the small things that make Seven Mile Beach the special place that we all love, these birds deserve a little recognition.

Laughing gulls have a sizable presence in Stone Harbor and Avalon, and understanding their history and potential benefits allows us to appreciate the small but unique role they play in our everyday lives at the shore. We may not love them, but we have no reason to hate them. Who knows? We may even find ourselves laughing with them.