A cacophony of squawks, mews and cow-cows filled Victoria's Beacon Hill Park on Saturday (May 10) as the Rocky Point Bird Observatory (RPBO) kicked off Victoria Bird Week with a novel and engaging event: the first-ever Scream Like A Gull Contest.

The contest drew a crowd of close to 100 bird enthusiasts, all eager to witness participants unleash their inner seabird, marking the beginning of Victoria Bird Week (May 12-17), a week-long celebration of avian life organized by RPBO.

The event coincided with World Migratory Bird Day and the recent proclamation of Greater Victoria as the "Birding Capital of Canada," further solidifying the region's commitment to bird conservation and appreciation.

James Bay resident and Virgin Radio morning show host Johnny Novak emerged victorious in the gull-screaming showdown.

Dressed in white and sporting a gull hat, Novak impressed the judges with his authentic and powerful rendition of a Glaucous-winged gull call.

His prize? A coveted Pelagic Birding Tour with Eagle Wing Tours, offering him the chance to observe seabirds in their natural habitat.

Novak credited his win to extensive research, noting that he has lived alongside a flock of Glaucous-winged gulls nesting on his roof for the past three years.

"I pretty much live with them right now and have taken on their persona," he explained.

Fellow contestant Kate Romain, a self-proclaimed "bird nerd," also drew inspiration from the rooftop gulls near her new home.

Dressed as a hummingbird, Romain admitted the challenges of finding a suitable practice space.

"It was challenging to find a place to practice, screaming like a gull but biking on my way to work, IÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™d hear them and copy them, thatÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s how I practised."

Duncan Grant, another Victoria resident who participated in the contest, emphasized the spirit of camaraderie and conservation.

"There's a lot of strong competition, but the bigger thing is we're all banding together and we're doing it for the gulls," he said.

Ten-year-old Ramsey Frombach, despite a touch of nerves, won the costume prize, taking home a $25 Wildbird Unlimited gift certificate. Ramsey's dedication to the theme was evident in her handmade seagull costume, complete with wings and webbed feet, a project she spent a week creating.

Simone Littledale, RPBO's education director and emcee for the event, expressed surprise at the turnout.

"I did not expect this kind of turnout," she said. "Given the success of this year, this may become an annual thing."

The contest was inspired by the European Championship Gull Screeching contest in the Belgian coastal town of De Panne.

"It's really hilarious," Littledale said. ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½œAnd I thought that this would be a pretty fun thing to bring to Victoria."

Beyond the fun and frivolity, the contest served as a platform to raise awareness about the challenges facing bird populations. 

Littledale emphasized the decline in many bird species, including certain gull species.

"We want to get a conservation message out and hopefully get people to appreciate gulls and realize their abilities to survive and be resourceful and not just see them as trash birds," she added.

Victoria Bird Week will continue with a variety of free activities, including guided bird walks, a bird trivia night and a special birding tour in partnership with Eagle Wing Tours.

Rosa Munzer, RPBO president, highlighted Victoria's exceptional avian diversity, encouraging people to remember the number 423 ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½“ the number of bird species recorded in Victoria, surpassing any other jurisdiction in Canada.

This number exceeds VancouverÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s 406 and Point Pelee in OntarioÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s 411.

Munzer also highlighted that Victoria is home to three historic migratory bird sanctuaries: Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary and Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

Attendees at the Beacon Hill Park event received stickers commemorating the Capital Regional District's proclamation as the "Birding Capital of Canada," designed by Ashlea Veldhoen, RPBO's lead educator.

"WeÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™re happy to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and the return of the migratory birds to their breeding grounds from their winter habitats," Veldhoen stated.

The event's theme focuses on the critical need for urban environments that support birdlife, making Victoria's commitment to bird conservation all the more relevant. Through events like the Scream Like A Gull contest and Victoria Bird Week, the RPBO hopes to inspire a deeper appreciation for birds and encourage continued efforts to protect their habitats.