The Sixth Annual European Seagull Screeching Championship in De Panne, Belgium

Apr 27, 2026, 11:39

Introduction

The coastal town of De Panne recently hosted the sixth European Seagull Screeching Championship, a unique event where participants compete to imitate the sounds of seabirds.

Main Body

The competition attracted over 70 participants from 15 different countries. The event took place in a local pub, where contestants—some dressed in bird-themed costumes—performed for a diverse audience. A panel of judges evaluated the performances using a specific scoring system. Contestants could earn up to 15 points for the accuracy of their sound and an additional 5 points for their stage presence. Organizer Claude Willaert emphasized that the goal of the event is to change how people view seagulls, which are often seen as pests. He asserted that because seagulls are so closely linked to seaside holidays, people should associate the birds with positive vacation memories instead of annoyance. The 2024 title was won by a young man from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, named Cooper. Reports claim that he developed his skill after a seagull tried to steal his tuna sandwich. Furthermore, it was noted that while his family initially found the loud noises difficult to tolerate, they now fully support his hobby.

Conclusion

The event ended with a British winner taking the trophy and the continued effort to promote a more positive image of seagulls.

Vocabulary Learning

accuracy (n.)

exactness / the quality of being correct and precise準確度

Example:Contestants could earn up to 15 points for accuracy of their sound.

annoyance (n.)

pestering / the feeling of being irritated or bothered惹人厭惡

Example:People should associate the birds with positive vacation memories instead of annoyance.

emphasized (v.)

stressed / gave special importance to強調；著重

Example:Organizer Claude Willaert emphasized that the goal is to change how people view seagulls.

evaluated (v.)

assessed / to judge or determine the value or quality of評估；評價

Example:The judges evaluated the performances using a specific scoring system.

presence (n.)

stage presence / the quality of being noticed or admired on a stage舞台存在感

Example:An additional 5 points were awarded for their stage presence.

Sentence Learning

The event took place in a local pub, where contestants—some dressed in bird-themed costumes—performed for a diverse audience.

Relative Clause: This clause 'where contestants performed' adds information about the location, modifying 'a local pub'關係子句: 此子句「where contestants performed」補充了發生地點，修飾「a local pub」。

He asserted that because seagulls are so closely linked to seaside holidays, people should associate the birds with positive vacation memories instead of annoyance.

Causal Conjunction: The word 'because' introduces a reason for the statement, linking the cause to the effect因果連接詞: 「because」用來引出原因，將因果關係連結起來。

The 2024 title was won by a young man from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, named Cooper.

Passive Voice: The passive form 'was won' shifts focus from the doer to the action, emphasizing that the title was obtained被動語態: 被動語態『was won』將重點放在動作本身，而非執行者，強調獲得冠軍。

Furthermore, it was noted that while his family initially found the loud noises difficult to tolerate, they now fully support his hobby.

Contrast Conjunction: The word 'while' presents a contrast between his family's initial reaction and their current support對比連接詞: 「while」呈現對比，說明家庭最初的困難與現在的支持。

Contestants could earn up to 15 points for the accuracy of their sound and an additional 5 points for their stage presence.

Modal Verb: The modal 'could' expresses possibility or ability, indicating contestants had the opportunity to earn points情態動詞: 情態動詞『could』表達可能性或能力，說明選手有機會獲得分數。