• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Where premium quality meets exceptional value. ZEISS Conquest HDX.
A sad note to finish that day
delia todd

A sad note to finish that day (Anas platyrhynchos)

There were some young Mallards on the beach, with mum in attendance. They came for some bread this young family threw to them. Nothing unusual about that.

After they left, it was really distressing to see two slightly older children run down to the beach an on to the island to chase the gulls away. When they returned to the beach, they then proceeded to chase any gull that came near, kicking out at some or throwing pebbles at them.

Their mother arrived and did nothing to curb their behaviour and eventually I could stand it no longer; went down to the beach and told them off. Telling them that it was the bird's home, not theirs, and people come to watch the birds.At first they tried to say they weren't doing anything, but then realised I'd been watching them LOL.

They left sheepishly. I'm not sure how I was brave enough to speak out!

No more pictures after this. Ann and I had an afternoon and evening of culture. A Mediaevel festival, and a local food festival.... delish food for miles! Followed by a Chinese and a concert in the lovely cathedral (Bruckner's 9th) a new symphony for me, and Ann I think.

A delightful day.

LOL Having seen Ove's comment below.... I spoke in English..... and they weren't Norwegian, but did speak English.
Habitat
City centre riverside
Location
Goose Park, Trondheim, Norway
Date taken
3 August 2018
Scientific name
Anas platyrhynchos
Equipment used
Fuji Finepix HS50 Sports Mode Continuous
Well done Delia......you are an absolute star.
I had a big row on Ilfracombe harbour on two women who tried to hit a gull with a bag......they were locals who argued that they were sky rats,they pinched childrens ice creams,attacked people who had food etc,etc.I responded with how we had depleted their fishing grounds,encouraged them to make a mess by being litter bugs etc,etc.......basically that it is us humans that cause the problems and not them.One of the women ended up going into a shop opposite and bringing some big bruiser she obviously knew out to try and scare me lol.
They ended up leaving with their tails between their legs as i wasn't going to back down.....i will get physical to protect nature if necessary......i'm not an aggressive person but i won't tolerate human beings injuring nature......being experienced in martial arts helps lol.
Again Delia......well done.
 
Supporter
You did well Delia! I cannot imagine what these kids will grow up to be. I'm sure there were no apologies from them either.
 
Sometimes do I wish that birds decide about penalties. They are not pets and it is not funny what their stupid parents allow them. Wished you kicked their asses. Of course not a way to do it but ... . Well done. Good to read that the goslings did not suffer from these stupid actions.
 
I think kids deserve an explanation as to why you're angry, rather than an @ss-kicking, so well done you, Delia! Them slinking off does indicate they were still capable of feeling ashamed, which means they realized they were in the wrong.
 
Supporter
My SO recently asked a woman in the local park to stop tearing leaves of a tree. In return she received a torrent of abuse :-/ but at least the tree was left alone after that.

There were some pretty stupid articles in the media about gulls bothering people which prompted calls for a gull cull (!) I never saw gulls bothering anybody at a beach, with food or not. They hover nearby waiting for some scraps, but if you don't throw your food around, they won't attack you...
 
Supporter
You are my hero for the day D!!! I admit I have watched too many wrongful things in my life go unchallenged or unspoken by me. I hope you have given me the backbone to stand up next time. Thank you my friend!
 
Opus Editor
Supporter
Great work, Delia ... It was brave ...
A situation, Renu and I, so often find ourselves in ...
 

Media information

Category
Britain & Europe
Added by
delia todd
Date added
View count
377
Comment count
14

Share this media

Back
Top