One obnoxious pet herring gull

Heathcliff on sundial Click to enlarge Photograph by Sharma Krauskopf

The day we moved in waiting in the car park was a beautiful healthy herring gull, which seemed very tame. It was only a short time after I got most of my boxes inside that I noticed that same herring gull sitting on the sundial looking in the window. Later when I went outside the gull came strolling up and checked me out as I did the inspected our other buildings. He stood only a few feet away and it was obvious he was use to humans. It was a few weeks until I found out the former owners of Eshaness had fed this particular gull.

We named him Heathcliff. Yes, I know that is not a usual name for a bird but it just sort of fit this particular bird. For the first couple of years we tried not to feed Heathcliff thinking he might go away and live a more natural life. It did not work. Heathcliff was always waiting at Eshaness when we returned.

There is a chapter in my book The Last Lighthouse entitled The Brothel about Heathcliff and his mate's x rated activities on the top of the Eshaness garage. It has been a couple of years since we have seen Heathcliff's mate but about a month ago he turned up with two spotted youngsters following him around. We are not sure whether Heathcliff is a boy or a girl but he definitely has a young family.

Heathcliff on his freshly painted perch Click to enlarge Photograph by Sharma Krauskopf

In the last few weeks we have been concerned about Heathcliff as the Eshaness tower is being painted which means access to most of Heathcliff's favourite spots have been cut off. He sits forlornly in the field and stares at 'his' lighthouse home. Apprehensive about Heathcliff's psychological health I have started feeding him (and his family). As my husband put it 'Heathcliff needs comfort food.' The painters being anxious about Heathcliff's well-being are now feeding him and the family.

One consequence of all this sympathy for Heathcliff is if we ever sell Eshaness we will need to add a line to our listing one or more pet herring gulls comes as part of the property. I have no idea how long herring gulls live but now Heathcliff has his babies in training to live at Eshaness it is a pretty sure thing that a pet gull will be here.

As Always,

Sharma

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You can find more articles in the archive under Island Miniatures/Lighthouse Letters.