The town of De Panne, Belgium, played host to this year's European Gullscreeching Championship where contestants are ranked on how well they can imitate the coastal bird's noise.

Around 50 took part in the event on April 23 where a jury awarded up to 75 points for the shriek and up to 25 for how well they copied the bird's behaviour.

Footage shows the top three contestants on stage as they gave their final screeches.

The event's organiser Claude Willaert, who provided the video, told Newsflare: "Participants of the EC Gullscreeching have to imitate the calls and behaviour of seagulls. Seagulls belong to the coast, you find them on coasts all over the world, but they might cause some problems. This championship wants to give a positive image to seagulls.

"A professional jury of marine scientists gives points: 75 for the calls and 25 for behaviour.

"So the championship is public science: we learned people to watch seagulls and enjoy their sounds!"

Jarmo Slutter, 21, from Belgium, managed to take home the adult's gold medal with a score of 89 out of 100.

Maren Vancauwenberghe came second and Rob Tooren in third.

Pariticipants of the EC Gullscreeching have to imitate the calls and behaviour of seagulls. Seagulls belong to the coast, you find them at coasts all over the world, But they might cause some problems. This championship wants to give a positive image to seagulls.
A professional jury of marine scientists gives points: 75 for the calls, the screeching and 25 for behavior. So the championship is public science: we learned people to watch seagulls and enjoy their sounds!
www.gullscreeching.eu