sloely

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Natural Remedies
  • Non Toxic Cleaning
  • Simply Frugal
  • Clutter Free
  • Grow Your Own
  • Simple Parenting
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Natural Remedies
  • Non Toxic Cleaning
  • Simply Frugal
  • Clutter Free
  • Grow Your Own
  • Simple Parenting
×

Did You Know? Seagulls Can Tell The Weather

Published: Dec 15, 2017 · Modified: Jan 11, 2021 by Alice · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

Did you know seagulls can tell the weather  ... #birds #nature
We finally had snow in London this week! Hurrah!

OK it didn't last. But we've not had proper snow for 4 or 5 years so we're allowed to celebrate a bit.

We knew the snow was coming - and the previous week's storm - because the seagulls told us.

You what? Yes really.

Seagulls - you see - can tell the weather! They're brilliant at it.

Now most of the time, we don't have seagulls around us.

Some live a few miles north on the Thames and most live - obviously - on the coast 30 miles away.

BUT there are times in the year when a BIG flock appears in our little corner of south London.

They like it here, when the weather's bad because it's built round two sheltered valleys. Which still have ponds in them left over from the old rivers - now underground - that used to run through.

BUT the seagulls DON'T turn up when the weather gets bad.

Oh NO! They turn up en masse 4 or 5 days in ADVANCE.

And when they turn up, we can guarantee there WILL be bad weather within the week.

EVEN sometimes when the weather forecast says there won't!

How on earth do the seagulls do it?

Did you know seagulls can tell the weather  ... #birds #nature

Well. It turns out the seagulls are like a barometer.

They can sense the small but significant changes in air pressure that indicate a storm is on its way.

This amazing ability to tell the weather and move inland for shelter helps seagulls survive storms.

How cool is that?

BUT if you watch the seagulls carefully when they come in land.

You'll see them do something else.

Just before the storm comes in - usually the day before - you may spot big groups of seagulls flying round in tight circles together.

Do you know what they're doing?

Did you know seagulls can tell the weather  ... #birds #nature

They're recalibrating their barometers, that's what.

As the change in air pressure becomes intense, they need to adjust their sensors.

If they don't, they won't be able to detect new changes in the air pressure.

And by flying around in circles together they can do that. Wow!

So the next time you see a flock of seagulls turn up in land prepare for a storm.

EXCEPT - in July - when they use their barometer for another INCREDIBLE reason.

BUT that's a story for another day. You'll have to wait to find out.

I hope you enjoyed this little nature note.

For more simple ways to explore nature with kids at home and in the classroom do follow me on Pinterest and have a read of these posts:

  • Dissecting Flowers To Explore Pollination
  • The Life Cycle Of Ladybugs
  • The Life Cycle Of Geese
  • Making Rainbow With Prisms
  • Writing On Tree Bark

Did you know seagulls can tell the weather  ... #birds #nature

Seagulls Forecast Weather

Original image source: seagull, seagull on post

More Exploring Nature With Children

  • Growing mushrooms with kids - a lovely simple gardening activity that lets kids explore the science of fungi #gardening #gardenwithkids #mushrooms #plants #fungi #science #STEM
    How To Grow Your Own Mushrooms
  • Fun Backyard Activities For Kids - Flower Crafts
    Flower Crafts For Kids
  • Super Fun Outdoor Activities For Kids
  • Growing Vegetables From Scraps

Comments

  1. Ilona says

    October 26, 2018 at 3:45 pm

    Yes, in Philadelphia, PA they predict coastal storm very well and yes 4-5 days in advance. So, they cost up the Delaware River and their favorite spots are the fast food places with large parking lots.My daughter qas eating Wawa's bacon egg and cheese she didn't finish the bagel so I told her to toss it on the sidewalk something will eat it. Before it could hit the sidewalk a seagull got it midair. First one I've seen that day. Later in the day more seagull where flying around.

    Reply
  2. Sally-ann says

    July 12, 2019 at 11:25 pm

    I live near water, gulls fly around all the time, what I wanted to know is why do they fly in the rain

    Reply
  3. Lyn says

    July 24, 2019 at 9:02 pm

    What happens in July???

    Reply
  4. Andrea says

    February 28, 2020 at 12:33 am

    Today I noticed that there was a bigger then usual amount of Seagulls flying all together in circles. Some really high up, like the way hawks circle food. Do Seagulls really do this before a storm? If so, that would be so cool!
    So the weather man last night was calling for snow in the Mts. And in near by city's. I guss we will just have to wait and see.
    It was really cool to find this article!!!

    Reply
    • Alice says

      February 28, 2020 at 1:16 pm

      It's fascinating isn't it - but really is true, they can feel the changes in weather and storms coming a good way out!

      Reply
  5. Michael Dunne says

    August 20, 2020 at 3:54 pm

    Saw this for the first time on evening Tuesday Aug 18th 2020 here near the south coast of Ireland when I noticed about thirty seagulls flying in a circular pattern which was moving from the South West to the North East which would be inland. I was amazed watching it - so thanks for the explanation. On Wednesday, exactly 24 hours after I saw them we had a storm here in Ireland.

    Reply
    • Alice says

      August 21, 2020 at 2:05 pm

      It's quite amazing isn't how good they are at forecasting the oncoming storm!

      Reply
    • MARTINA SMALES says

      August 25, 2020 at 7:01 pm

      I was sitting in my allotment in Yarm Teesside yesterday evening about 7.30 pm and for at least 5 minutes I watched hundreds of seagulls all flying SW to NE above me. Some would pause & circle a little way ahead over the river and then continue on. I often see movement of flocks of corvids later in the day, but this was extraordinary, so many for so long and in one direction on into the distance. Was this anything to do with storm Francis?

      Reply
      • Alice says

        August 27, 2020 at 10:13 am

        Almost certainly yes. Could be particularly striking because we've had a series of storms following very quickly after each other. They seem to be able to forecast 4 or 5 days out and the circling is their way of testing the air pressure changes.

        Reply
  6. Michael Ward says

    October 18, 2020 at 10:36 am

    Cormorants can tell when it going to rain and when a dry spell is due. If one is seven flying upstream it’s a sure sign that it will rain. If flying towards the coast o dry spell is due. The reason is that during a dry spell fish will accumulate at the estuary because the river water is low. When it rains fish will go upstream and there will be plenty in the lakes feeding the rivers. Cormorants seem to know this and so can predict the weather.

    Reply
  7. Linda says

    June 02, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    I live in Meaford Ontario, last night around 12:30 I went outside to check on my solar lights, on my way back inside, I looked up in the dark sky, and flying in circles were at least 10 or more looked like birds but they were glowing that's how I noticed them, they didn't make a sound just kept flying in circles, do seagulls glow like that in the dark, there were no lights on where I am, could it be something ELSE?

    Reply
    • Alice says

      June 02, 2021 at 3:46 pm

      Good question. They can fly at night but most don't or at least haven't. Quite a lot of birds are becoming confused by light pollution into night time activity but as it was dark sounds like it was something else!!

      Reply
  8. James C says

    March 22, 2022 at 7:14 am

    The migrating Seagulls return to my area in Cut Bank Montana as a sign that winter is coming to an end for mating. Usually within a week or two of the equinox. This year, just like last, they arrived on the exact day of the equinox.They aren't always 100% accurate given how unpredictable weather can be at my latitude as sometimes a late spring storm might bring some snow, but it melts off fast in the warmer weather. This particular flock winters in the interior of Central California and Central Nevada.

    Reply
    • Alice says

      March 22, 2022 at 8:07 am

      The sense of time of so many birds have is amazing isn't it? There is a nest of swifts in the eaves of the house opposite in me in London. I am awed by their ability to return back from Central Africa to that specific spot on within a day of May 5th every year.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Sloely

Welcome!

I am a London mother sharing the surprisingly simple remedies that truly can transform the health and happiness of family life ...

More about me

Practical Parenting

Simple ways to help your family thrive ...

  • Slower Happier Parenting
  • How To Build Kids Confidence, Independence & Self Esteem
    How To Build Kids Confidence
  • Balancing Activities For Kids
    Balancing Activities For Kids
  • Classic Old Fashioned Party Games For Kids Indoors And Outdoors
    Classic Children's Party Games

Natural Skincare

Super quick home treatments for skincare problems you can whip up fast from natural ingredients in your kitchen cupboards ...

  • Natural Cold Sore Remedies
  • Natural DIY Dandruff Remedies
    DIY Natural Dandruff Treatments
  • Woman wearing blackhead removal mask
    Gentle Blackhead Removal Treatments
  • Diet Changes For Acne
    Treating Acne With Diet

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Sloely