I've been meaning to make a post about this for a while, but just remembered this morning. Everytime I go to a sea resort, it does annoy me when people feed the gulls, because it only encourages them and they are becoming a real pest and very bold.

I completely understand that it is fun feeding birds, I love doing it too, and I do understand that it can be very rewarding feeding birds with small children and is a good way of getting them interested in wildlife.

But when there are signs up everywhere saying "Please do not feed the gulls", there is obviously a reason. Several times I've seen gulls come down and snatch food from a childs, or on one occasion an adults hands. And up close gulls are very large birds!

I also read recently that some sea birds are getting unhealthy because they aren't getting the diet they need from "junk food", so it's a double edged sword.

Where abouts were you Richard?

There is the same problem in my part of the world with feeding Canada Geese. Highly aggressive, and territorial as well, they are strong enough to hurt people.

Perhaps the solution to people feeding gulls is to have them watch Hitchcock's The Birds. That should be frightening enough.

Kingfisher

Or send them to St Ives where i work! They'll either get mugged by the Seagulls or mugged by the locals for feeding the gulls!!

I have heard a song or poem about St Ives. Oh yeah, the man who had ten wives! And each wife had a sack, and in that sack they had two cats etc...

What is your occupation Paul, if you don't mind me asking?

I think it was Seven wives he had?

I can't tell you what i do. I could, but then i'd have to kill you!!

Aaaaahhhhhh! I am never coming back now!

My last words: It probably is seven.

You can run but you cant hide!!