This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz795vx73z4o

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Seagull boy' swoops in to retain European screeching title 'Seagull boy' swoops in to retain European screeching title
(about 7 hours later)
"Seagull boy" retains European screeching competition title Cooper beat the competition - including his own sister
A 10-year-old British boy has defended his European title for mimicking seagulls - seeing off competition, this year, from his little sister.A 10-year-old British boy has defended his European title for mimicking seagulls - seeing off competition, this year, from his little sister.
Cooper, from Chesterfield in Derbyshire, took the marine bird imitation world by storm when his high-pitched impression of a gull saw him soar to victory in the 2025 EC Gull Screeching contest. Cooper, from Chesterfield in Derbyshire, took the marine bird imitation world by storm when his high-pitched impression of a gull saw him soar to victory in the 2024 EC Gull Screeching contest.
Now he has become the first screecher to retain the juvenile category crown in the competition's five-year history.Now he has become the first screecher to retain the juvenile category crown in the competition's five-year history.
His seven-year-old sister Shelby, now known as "Sea Gurl", made it a high-flying weekend for the family by landing fourth place.His seven-year-old sister Shelby, now known as "Sea Gurl", made it a high-flying weekend for the family by landing fourth place.
"I feel really excited and shocked," said Cooper."I feel really excited and shocked," said Cooper.
"They [the other competitors] were really good too - including Shelby.""They [the other competitors] were really good too - including Shelby."
Cooper, who launched his screeching career after he was pecked by a seagull when he was younger, and Shelby were among 22 young competitors who took part in the unusual contest in the Belgian coastal town of De Panne at the weekend. Cooper - who launched his screeching career after he was pecked by a seagull when he was younger - and Shelby were among 22 young competitors who took part in the unusual contest in the Belgian coastal town of De Panne at the weekend.
Competitors, usually dressed in bird costumes, are invited to take to the microphone and screech to try to impress a panel of gull experts and marine biologists.Competitors, usually dressed in bird costumes, are invited to take to the microphone and screech to try to impress a panel of gull experts and marine biologists.
Cooper said he was pleased his little sister had soared to fourth place in the contestCooper said he was pleased his little sister had soared to fourth place in the contest
Cooper and Shelby's mum, Lauren, told the BBC: "It's a very tough competition.Cooper and Shelby's mum, Lauren, told the BBC: "It's a very tough competition.
"Everyone who takes part is very, very good, so I'm very proud of them both."Everyone who takes part is very, very good, so I'm very proud of them both.
"We are so happy that Cooper won again, but Shelby is going to be after that title next year, I think.""We are so happy that Cooper won again, but Shelby is going to be after that title next year, I think."
Shelby said she was really pleased at her place in the competition after practising and copying Cooper's technique.Shelby said she was really pleased at her place in the competition after practising and copying Cooper's technique.
Cooper is aiming to win a third title next yearCooper is aiming to win a third title next year
Lauren said Cooper's seagull screeching success had not gone to his head - even if he would not share his top secret techniques Lauren said Cooper's seagull screeching success had not gone to his head - even if he would not share his top secret techniques.
"He takes it all in his stride. He's so chilled about winning again," she said."He takes it all in his stride. He's so chilled about winning again," she said.
"It has been a huge boost to his confidence."It has been a huge boost to his confidence.
"He's very bright, but he is a bit shy - unlike Shelby, who wants to do everything."He's very bright, but he is a bit shy - unlike Shelby, who wants to do everything.
"His confidence has soared. "His confidence has soared. He is doing so many things he wouldn't have done before, including getting a part as an ugly sister in his school play Cinderella."
"He is doing so many things he wouldn't have done before, including getting a part as an ugly sister in his school play Cinderella."
How the competition worksHow the competition works
A panel of judges awards each screech a score out of 100, and the winner is the person who gets most points.A panel of judges awards each screech a score out of 100, and the winner is the person who gets most points.
Each judge awards up to 20 possible points, with up to five points awarded for how the competitors were dressed and the behaviour they exhibited.Each judge awards up to 20 possible points, with up to five points awarded for how the competitors were dressed and the behaviour they exhibited.
The remaining 15 points are awarded for how they mimicked the call of a seagull - with attention paid to the timbre, rhythm, and variation of the efforts.The remaining 15 points are awarded for how they mimicked the call of a seagull - with attention paid to the timbre, rhythm, and variation of the efforts.
Cooper's winning score was 87, and Shelby's effort got 81 points.Cooper's winning score was 87, and Shelby's effort got 81 points.
There was more British success with Toby, 10, from Leeds taking third place. There was more British success with Toby, 10, from Leeds, taking third place.
Shelby and Cooper have been there and got the T-shirtShelby and Cooper have been there and got the T-shirt
Coopers was awarded his second first-place medal and a hamper full of crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks as a reward for his super screeching. Cooper was awarded his second first-place medal and a hamper full of crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks as a reward for his super screeching.
Lauren added: "We're definitely planning to come back next year.Lauren added: "We're definitely planning to come back next year.
"Both Cooper and Shelby are already excited about it."Both Cooper and Shelby are already excited about it.
"It's a really amazing event - but not one I'd ever have thought we'd have a talent for in the family.""It's a really amazing event - but not one I'd ever have thought we'd have a talent for in the family."
Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.