What the flock? Gulls take over lawns, hoover up scourge of Winnipeg worms

They're the baneof cyclists' existence and leave smears across vehicle windshields, but now ascourge of worms that has been eating its way through Winnipegtreetops has met a formidablewinged foe.

Gulls usually stick to the water, but they recentlywised upto an infestation of three different worm species in Assiniboine River-adjacent Wolseley and West Broadway. Flocks of the white birds have begun waddling across area sidewalks and lawns in search of squishy meals.

"Doing what they're doing, it's pretty unusual,'" said Paula Grieef, a naturalist at Oak Hammock Marsh.

Gulls chow down as three worm species invade Winnipeg neighbourhoods

7 years ago

Duration 0:20

A worm infestation in Winnipeg's Wolseley and West Broadway neighbourhoods has caught the attention of gulls. The birds normally stick to waterways but have made an exception for the worms, which are wriggling around lawns

The first wave of forest-tent caterpillars in May was followed closely by elm spanworms and cankerworms. The wriggling trio has hung from treetops and scattered droppings on the ground below.

The birds have hopped from street to streetandstoppedonPalmerstonAvenue and SpenceStreetthis week to chow down.

Grieef said it's likely one or two gulls first discovered the worms and couldn't keep the smorgasbord a secret for long.

"Gulls are one of those kinds of birds that will eat just about anything and take advantage of whatever is available," Grieef said. "I would think lots of little birds are eating them, but we don't notice them like we would notice the gulls."

Grieef said the birds will help bring the overall worm number down but can't single-wingedly exterminate the pests.

Winnipeg is in the midst of its worst elm spanworm invasion in 20 years, the city's insect control branch says. The city expects the invasion to last another two to three weeks.

Elm spanworms that evade the gulls will morph into pale white moths this August, while cankerworms will turn into grey moths.Taz Stuart withpest-control company Poulin'ssaid last week that forest tent caterpillars willtake on a golden-brown colour in their moth phase in July.

City crews sprayed for worms from The Forks west through West Broadway and Wolseleyon the weekend.

Gulls take over lawns, hoover up scourge of Winnipeg worms

7 years ago

Duration 1:20

Worms have invaded some parts of Winnipeg. And now so have birds. CBC's Marjorie Dowhos braved the streets following flocks of gulls through our city.