Invasion of the Gulls

16 May, 2008

It's the attack of the gulls. While the movies might traditionally show vultures circling their prey, it seems Irish towns are being targeted by birds of a different kind.

Pest control group Rentokil is predicting that towns and cities will be faced with an airborne assault from feathered white missiles.

Earlier this week, the Herald reported how one Dublin residentfell foul of the birds off Howth Head but now it seems that the seagulls are spreading their wings further.

The public are being warned that gulls in the midst of their breeding season will be preying on their victims with piercing noise and even physical attacks.

But according to Rentokil it's our own fault.

"The gull population is thriving as a result of widespread food source mainly from litter on the streets and discarded scraps from fast food restaurants which provide a tasty meal for these scavengers," said a spokesperson.

"They are at their loudest and most violent between April and August, disrupting those who live near their nesting sites and in the worst cases, attacking passers-by."

Moving

Traditionally, the birds nested near coastlines and feed off the fishing industry, but they are now moving to towns and cities.

"Their migration inland mirrors the activity of pigeons, which have gradually moved inland, as food sources have become more readily available.

"In addition litter on the streets and other easily available food offer the birds a fatter diet, helping the young to become strong and healthy, increasing their chances tof survival," say Rentokil.

However, while that might seem harmless, unsuspecting members of the public are feeling the brunt of the disturbed birds.

Attacks on pedestrians by gulls using their feet or beaks are apparently becoming more common, especially if the bird feels their young are in danger.

That is exactly what happened last weekend when two Dublin residents visited Ireland's Eye for a bank holiday walk but left wounded after a dive-bomb attack.

Michaela Soucova's face was left completely covered in blood by the attack.