Seagull Reputation Management

More seagull news, this time from Belgium.  Excerpts from a Reuters report:

The Belgian coastal town of De Panne organised on Sunday the third European seagull screeching championship, where a jury crowned the best imitation of the bird's distinctive shriek.

Around 50 participants took part in the contest including first-timers and returning participants. Each was judged by a professional jury which awarded 15 points for how well they imitated the seagull's sound and five points for their behaviour.

Seagulls are often despised by the public because of their intrusive behaviour and the contest also aims at changing their image.