Aggressive Seagulls Menacing Urban Britain

[Cindy M]

I came across this story while browsing through National Geographic online- and I thought we had problems with seagulls, this was quite disturbing to read.. is the press blowing this out of proportion, like they so often do?
An 80-year-old Welshman had a fatal heart attack after being swooped on by the birds. In southwest England, a woman was rushed to the hospital with deep beak wounds to her head, and a pet dog was pecked to death. A preschool in Scotland had to hire falconers armed with hawks to safeguard its children.

to read the full story:
Aggressive Seagulls Menacing Urban Britain (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/01/0107_030107_seagulls.html)

[T0ny]

I think, as you suggest, the problem is being blown up by the press. Despite all the dramatic headlines, no factual proof was offered of the accusations made - the 'droppings' scenario is one used by anyone who wants to complain about birds for any reason (in towns, it's usually pigeons), but the 'aerial attacks' are usually birds swooping down to see if there's food available. People have been conditioned to think of themselves as the crown of creation, and assume any rapid silent approach of any creature is an attack. As for hotel guests staying in hotels at the coast, then complaining of the noise of the gulls - what do they expect, Trappist Gulls that have taken a vow of silence ?

Tony

[Cindy M]

Originally posted by T0ny
As for hotel guests staying in hotels at the coast, then complaining of the noise of the gulls - what do they expect, Trappist Gulls that have taken a vow of silence ?

Tony

I think you hit the nail squarely on the head Tony. To me that is comparable to folks who live most of their lives in the city then they head out to the country - where they proceed to chop down all of the trees, tear up the habitat to plant non-native species, complain about the bugs that bite them, the racoons that have a vendetta against them because they get into their garbage cans (or bird feeders) and the birds that dare to leave droppings on their clean sidewalks and cars. Then they attribute human-like qualities to their actions, like this story did.. (like the seagulls have a secret plot against the British citizens)
I'm always skeptical of these kinds of stories because they're so dramatic- and drama sells magazines. Appreciate your reply.

[El Annie]

Mmmmm interesting, don't know about Urban Britain but I was a resident of Scarborough for 24yrs, lived in various parts of the town from right near the sea to about 2 miles away! Have experienced agressive birds and I can tell you it's not funny! In particular one area where several people were attacked and it was nothing to do with food, they were attacking and no doubt about it, there were loads of broken eggs all over the place as well it was all very strange. Have also had them nesting in my chimney pot, they attack when the chicks are young making it a bit hairy trying to get in your front door, they also make an incredible mess on your roof and basically all around your house, it's like paint! HOWEVER, I would never subscribe to any kind of cull.

Annie

[El Annie]

.......and on a funny note - a friend of mine owns an hotel on the sea front, his gutters became blocked and so he thought he'd borrow ladders and go up and sort them out. Thing was he went up the ladder wearing some seaside merchandise in the form of a baseball cap with a life size gull on the top - all was going well until suddenly he was under attack, seemingly the resident gulls took exception to this new bird and tried to see it off!!!! He was absolutely terrified and almost fell off the ladder in his haste to reach the ground!

Annie :)

[T0ny]

Originally posted by Cindy_MI
To me that is comparable to folks who live most of their lives in the city then they head out to the country - where they proceed to chop down all of the trees, tear up the habitat to plant non-native species, complain about the bugs that bite them, the racoons that have a vendetta against them because they get into their garbage cans (or bird feeders) and the birds that dare to leave droppings on their clean sidewalks and cars.

Oh, you've met them too, have you ? When I bought my 1797 cottage last year, the Estate Agent said 'It needs a lot of modernisation'. I said, 'Well, it's not getting it.' I couldn't see the point of bringing urban life to the countryside.

Tony

[Cindy M]

Originally posted by El Annie
Have experienced agressive birds and I can tell you it's not funny!
Annie

hi Annie, and no it certainly is not a pleasant thing to be attacked by an aggressive bird. When doing northern goshawk surveys for the USFS here in our state, one of the items on our field equipment list was a hard hat- Northern Goshawks will defend their nests fiercely and almost always go for the head/eyes- the same goes for Great Horned Owls. Many birds defend their nests/young, but these big fellas come equipped with sharp talons- and it's best to pay attention to those talons :)
When you say the birds nested in your chimney, do you mean swifts? We had nesting tree & barn swallows for many years and the barn swallows would thump my scalp now and then if I'd get too close to the young. We have many species of gulls here and I made the mistake just once, many years ago, of feeding them- I had a feeding frenzy of very aggressive gulls all around me within seconds. My own fault- kinda like wearing a seagull hat when surrounded by seagulls.. LOL

[Cindy M]

Originally posted by T0ny
Oh, you've met them too, have you ? When I bought my 1797 cottage last year, the Estate Agent said 'It needs a lot of modernisation'. I said, 'Well, it's not getting it.' I couldn't see the point of bringing urban life to the countryside.

Tony

What a lovely cottage that must be- and good for you for preserving it's history :)