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Original poster

Seagulls

152 replies

Desperatetime · 01/08/2023 09:40

They appear to be in the news alot lately giving them a bad press are they really as bad as they are made out to be I've been to the seaside but ever witnessed any of what the press says.

OP posts:
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6
Minikievs · 01/08/2023 12:26

TwelfthGiraffe · 01/08/2023 09:55

I once saw a seagull push someone off a mobility scooter. No word of a lie.

I'm so sorry but this has REALLY made me laugh 🤣🤣🤣🤣

meridian37 · 01/08/2023 12:28

Just came back from the Dorset coast

They are horrible

Saw loads of them attacking people eating lunch

Amae · 01/08/2023 12:30

I was in Brighton not long ago and we were having food outside a cafe - all the tables were under parasols but the table next to us had left their plates on the table once they left which hadscraps of food on - within seconds of them leaving, 5 seagulls landed on the table and were fighting over the food, several glasses were smashed, knocked plates on the floor, it was insane!

Prior to that, my daughter who was only 3 at the time, was on my husbands shoulders eating an icecream, the seagull perched on her head (which bloody hurt obviously with their claws) then flew off with the ice cream and scratched her face! Horrible things.

deeplybaffled · 01/08/2023 12:31

I’ve been dive bombed twice by seagulls whilst walking in the centre of Liverpool for my sandwich. Each time, it was unopened and still in the packaging ( cellophane and cardboard supermarket wrapping ) so I wasn’t exactly being brazen about having food! Now, I take a tote bag to the shop😂

Gettingbysomehow · 01/08/2023 12:31

Gulls aren't the problem we are with our rubbish and waving our food in front of their beaks. Keep rubbish shut away and don't eat outside.
If you don't bother them they won't bother you.
People expect nature to conform to our needs but it's actually the other way round.
I lived by the sea for years and never had any problem with gulls as long as I followed those rules.

greenacrylicpaint · 01/08/2023 12:32

I think they are cute (lots where I live). they are so very clever and majestic.

locals just don't eat outside unless under an umbrella.
but we love watching tourists getting their churros stolen Grin

PuffingPuffin · 01/08/2023 12:33

Part of the problem is that birds in general are clever little fuckers. The heavily touristy beaches here have big seagull problems, but the ones that live at the less touristy beaches are much more civilised.

PickAChew · 01/08/2023 12:40

I've been shat on by the bastards more times than I care to remember.

Iloveanicegarden · 01/08/2023 12:40

They attacked my cat in the back garden!

Strangeish · 01/08/2023 12:47

They live a long time so its likely the gulls you fed as kids 20 years ago are still around.
People use to feed gulls a fair amount, with ample food their numbers have climbed and they have become completely used to getting food from humans.

They are wicked smart. Studies have shown they "profile" victims so know who's more likely to drop food when they swoop. They will especially pick on women, children but can also recognise tourists to an area (there was a brief study that thought not only do they racially profile but they also might be picking up on accents)
They can certainly identify individuals

They also mimick food being eaten by the humans around them as they know its safer. A recent study found that when humans eat one consistent colour crisp packet around them, they will favour that colour crisp packet when given the choice

It's also felt like they are suffering from a human food based diet. It's believed that a carb and sugar heavy and additive heavy diet is causing them to become more aggressive and has the same addictive properties as humans craving a McDonald's

There are differences in the build, and beak shape of town ones vs ones that go out to sea which means town ones are less likely to use non human based food sources (eg go off to find fish)

They are a truly underestimated species!

Fernie6491 · 01/08/2023 12:50

I live on the coast and seagulls have taken over our road and local area for nesting, as a lot of houses have partial flat roofs. They are a pain with their wheeling and screaming, and are doing it as I type this.

Trouble is they are active with the tides so will often be screaming at night. It's not much fun having them sitting on the roof shrieking above your bedroom window at 3 in the morning!

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 01/08/2023 12:51

That’s fascinating Strangeish!

Crunchymum · 01/08/2023 12:59

Just back from the SE coast (we go a few times a year) and I can say first hand that they are worse than ever this year. We always take a beach tent when we go away to the coast so the kids can eat any food without fear of attack.

Both older DC's have had food taken by seagulls in recent years. Just the other day a seagull landed on DC8's head (flapping in my face as I was next to her) to get her banana as we were walking along the road FFS. They are usually "just" on the beach.

I watched a family attempt to the have a fish and chip lunch on the beach at the weekend and they (2 adults and 2 pre teens) couldn't keep the seagulls at bay and had to leave with their food.

I also saw seagulls ransacking through people's stuff (left on the beach whilst they went elsewhere to eat) to see if they could find food.

** yes I did intervene in both of the above situations

Even my animal loving 10yo (who feels sorry for pigeons and gets upset that people kill spiders) hates them!

Barrell · 01/08/2023 13:00

PickAChew · 01/08/2023 12:40

I've been shat on by the bastards more times than I care to remember.

Yeah, but that’s good luck. You should get a lottery ticket when it happens.

Crunchymum · 01/08/2023 13:00

Strangeish · 01/08/2023 12:47

They live a long time so its likely the gulls you fed as kids 20 years ago are still around.
People use to feed gulls a fair amount, with ample food their numbers have climbed and they have become completely used to getting food from humans.

They are wicked smart. Studies have shown they "profile" victims so know who's more likely to drop food when they swoop. They will especially pick on women, children but can also recognise tourists to an area (there was a brief study that thought not only do they racially profile but they also might be picking up on accents)
They can certainly identify individuals

They also mimick food being eaten by the humans around them as they know its safer. A recent study found that when humans eat one consistent colour crisp packet around them, they will favour that colour crisp packet when given the choice

It's also felt like they are suffering from a human food based diet. It's believed that a carb and sugar heavy and additive heavy diet is causing them to become more aggressive and has the same addictive properties as humans craving a McDonald's

There are differences in the build, and beak shape of town ones vs ones that go out to sea which means town ones are less likely to use non human based food sources (eg go off to find fish)

They are a truly underestimated species!

Agreed - this is absolutely fascinating!

LaLoba · 01/08/2023 13:00

I live at the coast, they nest on our roof and neighbours’ roofs. Right now I’m watching 3 youngsters practice for their first flight. I love them, never had an issue, and agree with PP who place the blame on human behaviour.
Their dedication to their chicks is my favourite thing about them - possibly because my parents were so shite, it warms my heart to watch not just theirreadiness to defend the chicks, but how they will take care of the ‘runt’ long after the stronger chicks have flown. Admirable parents in my eyes.

WandaWonder · 01/08/2023 13:02

It's that shifty look they give out

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 01/08/2023 13:02

Barrell · 01/08/2023 13:00

Yeah, but that’s good luck. You should get a lottery ticket when it happens.

Show quote history

Yes but you’d be like ‘omg my numbers have come up!’ and would just be getting the ticket out to check and then a seagull comes crashing through the window and….

RudsyFarmer · 01/08/2023 13:03

There’s a hilarious cartoonist called Sam Cotton who I follow and he calls them ‘Bin Chickens’ 🤣

Astrak · 01/08/2023 13:05

I live on my boat on a tidal river. I see all types of sea/river birds on a daily basis. I've lived on this river for forty-five years and never had any sort of problem, and, as far as I know, neither have my neighbours.
I think that people need to observe their surroundings, assess how their behaviour might impact their safety and act accordingly.

Peony654 · 01/08/2023 13:07

I assume you haven’t been to Brighton recently… horrible ones there!

ohtowinthelottery · 01/08/2023 13:08

I've had ice cream stolen by a seagull who circled me twice and swooped to take a chunk out of my ice cream as I was walking along the promenade. DS has also had chips stolen by them when eating lunch. I was brought up at the coast and don't ever remember them bring a problem then (1960's - 80's) but whenever we visit we see people feeding them and I'm pretty sure that's part of the problem.

Popsicle42 · 01/08/2023 13:12

I despise them. I live in a city, nowhere near the coast, and we get invaded by them every spring. They nest on the roofs, divebomb anyone who walks past their chicks, make the most godawful noise all through the night. They’re enormous, intimidating, germ-invested predators. Vile creatures.

fartfacenotfatface · 01/08/2023 13:12

Oh gosh they're savage beasts. I do love them though and wouldn't ever want to hurt them. I just keep my wits about me when eating in public.

Friedgreentomatoestoo · 01/08/2023 13:16

Gettingbysomehow · 01/08/2023 12:31

Gulls aren't the problem we are with our rubbish and waving our food in front of their beaks. Keep rubbish shut away and don't eat outside.
If you don't bother them they won't bother you.
People expect nature to conform to our needs but it's actually the other way round.
I lived by the sea for years and never had any problem with gulls as long as I followed those rules.

Exactly.

In North Wales there are £2000 fines for feeding seagulls.

They only tend to be aggressive during the breeding season.