Divebombing gulls mass over North Wales resort as 'millions' of tiny fish jump from sea


Remarkable scenes played out on a Gwynedd beach when vast shoals of tiny fish were driven ashore. “Thousands” of seagulls massed above Criccieth beach as millions of tiny fish began jumping from the sea.

The fish had been chased to the shoreline by hungry mackerel, turning it silvery white. In the shadow of 13th-century Criccieth Castle, Herring gulls were attracted to the bonanza in huge numbers, many of them diving into the sea to help themselves. Local people described the scene as “incredible”.

The feeding frenzy was witnessed by passing train passengers on the Cambrian Coast Railway. “It’s like the Birds film,” marvelled a Manchester woman on social media.

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Mass strandings of whitebait – young sprats similar to sardines – are an annual occurrence on the west Wales coast. But those witnessed in Criccieth in recent days have been much larger than seen in previous years. One man even recorded a clip of whitebait leaping from the water onto the resort’s stone jetty.

When photos began appearing online, people vowed to fetch buckets and start collecting fish from the beach. Anglers also raced to the area in the hope of snaring the mackerel or bass that had driven whitebait to the water’s edge. The presence of these larger fish often attracts dolphins as the entire food chain cashes in.

Photos and videos of Sunday's whitebait strandings (September 29) were posted by Cricieth Creadigol - Creative Criccieth, a Welsh art community based in the seaside town. The group said: “Incredible scene on Criccieth beach tonight- thousands of gulls feasting on whitebait."

It followed similar strandings on Pwllheli beach and at nearby Hafan y Môr holiday camp last week. Large numbers of whitebait have also been driven ashore at Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, in recent days. More have been reported at Dinas Dinlle near Caernarfon. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community

Thousands of seagulls congregated at Criccieth to divebomb whitebait shoals
Thousands of seagulls congregated at Criccieth to divebomb whitebait shoals -Credit:Ffion Gwyn
Masses of whitebait were left stranded on the beach
Masses of whitebait were left stranded on the beach -Credit:Ffion Gwyn

What happened in Criccieth left some people stunned. One woman said online: “In all the years of being at my Nan’s house when a child, I have never seen that happen. If it had, Nan would have probably sent me down with a bucket to collect the fish and she would have cooked it for our tea.”

Fried whitebait served with lemon and tartare sauce is a traditional favourite – Ynys Gored Goch in the Menai Strait was known as “Whitebait Island” for serving fish to boat-borne tourists. Dylan’s restaurant, which has an outlet in Criccieth, offers crispy-coated whitebait on its seasonal menus. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

Dead and live whitebait litter the beach
Dead and live whitebait litter the beach -Credit:Ffion Gwyn
Gulls were attracted from miles around for the feeding frenzy
Gulls were attracted from miles around for the feeding frenzy -Credit:Ffion Gwyn

Whitebait strandings are more common from July to September when the sea has warmed and food is more plentiful. In a frantic effort to escape predators, they form bait balls and beach themselves only to be left marooned when the tide goes out.

One of the largest strandings of recent years occurred in October 2020 when several tonnes of sprats were washed up on Benar Beach, near Barmouth, Gwynedd. Last year huge quantities of wriggling whitebait at Pwllheli beach attracted dozens of human foragers, while a similar phenomenon in Abersoch saw paddleboarders showered with fish jumping from the sea.

Children have been reported trying to help stranded whitebait back into the sea. Natural Resources Wales previously said people should not be worried about the phenomenon as it’s “only nature at work”. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday

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