The season for Gulls’ eggs

Posted on May 5, 2016 by admin

For a very short window in spring, the black-headed gulls nest and a limited number of their eggs are available for harvesting. We are really excited to have been able to source some of these wonderful eggs.

These delicacies have been a British tradition for centuries and we are serving them as a breakfast special in a traditional manner – soft boiled, with toast soldiers and celery salt. Gull eggs have a creamer and richer flavour than hen eggs, and the yolks are a vibrant orange.

Gull eggs are limited not only due to the season, but also because the numbers are carefully monitored to ensure they are protected. Only one egg is harvested per nest and each ‘egger’ (collector) must have a license, which is renewed yearly.  These birds predominantly flock to coastal areas, but also build nests in marshes, lakes and loughs. The gulls’ nests can be at risk from being swept away by tides, and by predators such as foxes; but the 25 or so approved ‘eggers’ are known to stand guard and protect the nests and birds as much as they can!

These green-turquoise, speckled eggs, make for a rather beautiful breakfast plate. We will be serving these eggs from Thursday 2 May for as long as we are able to.