So, where have all them gulls gone?

This could be just one of those things - but needs investigating further - where are our gulls?

A few days ago, David Stevens commented on his blog posted at sea that he has recently noticed a lack of white s***e aboard the boat! After briefly thinking this was indeed a good thing he then realised the implications, no s***e equals no gulls! On asking around the other boats at sea it seems he is not alone - the Crystal Sea II has been working around the Wolf Rock off Lands End.

So, an open invitation for comment - can anyone else either offer an explanation or reveal their observations regarding the lack or not of gulls in the Western Approaches? Is it gulls in general or particluar species like kittiwakes?