Gijón, Spain, is changing its approach to urban wildlife. After years of removing yellow-legged gull chicks, the city is implementing a plan with the goal of zero sacrifice by 2027.
Yellow-legged gulls are listed in the Red Book of Spanish Birds due to population decline. They are in the city because of food sources. Gijón is working to reduce these.
The new plan, starting in 2025, includes using birds of prey, education, citizen campaigns, eliminating food waste, and monitoring. A company is leading the strategy, with support from the City Council, the University of Oviedo, and ornithological groups. In 2024, fewer chicks were removed, and the number of gulls is the lowest since 2007. The zero-sacrifice goal for 2027 is achievable.
Citizens must avoid feeding gulls, keep terraces clean, and report nests.
Gijón will host the first Swift Festival from June 13-15. The swift symbolizes coexistence with urban biodiversity.
The City Council will also sign an agreement to care for injured wildlife and is reinforcing the CER plan for cats. The Gijón Ecoresilient project is installing biodiversity refuges and conducting studies.
Gijón is joining the European trend of urban renaturalization. Coexistence is now the approach. Birds are allies in making Gijón more habitable.