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Winged rats
- Thread starter mikeyjh
- Start date
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 35,315
i really dont understand why they are protected. according to RSPBA theres 3 times more of the Herring buggers than Sparrowhawks, yet the latter are not protected. i know which one im happier to have in my garden.
Mr Putdown
Well-known member
Eh? Sparrowhawks have exactly the same level of protection as gulls.
Birdie Boy
Well-known member
- Jun 17, 2011
- 4,108
There is one less out there as of yesterday as I ran one over on the way to work! 
dougdeep
New member
Your's stop when it gets dark? You're lucky.
They are a protected species and despite the seemingly ubquitous prescence and growing numbers in our towns, this is in fact misleading. Since 1970, the numbers of Herring Gulls has declined by 54.5% (source: DEFRA http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-2887 ). The main reason why we see so many in our towns and cities is the systematic destruction of their nesting habitat and overfishing of their feeding grounds. In other words, the reason we see so many seagulls crapping on our cars is entirely down to our own actions. Don't blame the seagulls - they are only doing what they can to survive being driven to extinction - I'm sure you would do the same if the boot was on the other foot. If you want to do something about it, lobby your MP, your MEP, whoever has the power or influence to help set up Maritime Reserves maybe, like there is around the Isle of Man?
turienzo's lovechild
New member
- Oct 25, 2003
- 23,964
the house that i've just moved out of had, for some reason, a chick nesting in the back yard...with no nest or anything. The mother was looking after it but it was literally living in the back yard. We couldn't go outside as the mother would go completely apeshit and the area was absolutely covered in seagull shit and vomit. They're actually quite cute as chicks so didn't really mind it being there, it's just a shame that they grow up into absolute ********s so we couldn't spend any time properly looking at it. Oh, and the noise was terrible (mostly the mother)
It was also in the middle of the bin strike so there was LOADS of food for it.
It was also in the middle of the bin strike so there was LOADS of food for it.
Our back garden at the moment is a no go area. The bungalow next door has 2 seagull chicks on its roof and we have 3 adults constantly attacking us. Being bungalow land the seagull's attack flight starts at a very low level and they are at head height with ease. Agree with Dougdeep that the noise is 24/7.
I am very suspicious of the claim that their numbers are declining. I believe this claim is based on counts of gulls in their traditional areas but not urban areas. As for us destroying their habitat and feeding areas, according to our local inshore fishermen the seas have plenty of fish inshore and as far as I know our South Coast cliffs are still as nature intended so why have the gulls moved in? I suspect it has more to do with the ease of getting food in our towns. Just like rats the gulls go where they can eat easily and as far as I'm concerned Herring Gulls should be in the same category as rats. They are a menace and a health hazard.
I am very suspicious of the claim that their numbers are declining. I believe this claim is based on counts of gulls in their traditional areas but not urban areas. As for us destroying their habitat and feeding areas, according to our local inshore fishermen the seas have plenty of fish inshore and as far as I know our South Coast cliffs are still as nature intended so why have the gulls moved in? I suspect it has more to do with the ease of getting food in our towns. Just like rats the gulls go where they can eat easily and as far as I'm concerned Herring Gulls should be in the same category as rats. They are a menace and a health hazard.
Irrespective of whether you believe the census data or not (and I'm not going to go after an argument - if you're interested in following up the data, the link is there) or whether there are lots of fish (in fact, Herring Gulls eat more crustaceans than fish, so not sure how strong an indicator that is), the fact is if they have moved inland because of easy access, it's still OUR doing that has caused it. Rather than moan about the gulls, how about moaning about the waste we create? If some large creature was potentially threatening your kids, what would you do? Yes, gulls are noisy, they do leave a mess, but I for one think they are still magnificent birds who are smart enough to take advantage of our wasteful and profligate society.
3 large creatures are threatening us and folk who are on our street. Ok they are not likely to kill us but having had one dig a hole in my bald pate they are not exactly friendly. As I said in my OP they have come on shore to eat our garbage and have now become more than a nuisance. We have seagulled proof our roof but others do not bother. Some even feed them. We have created the mess but do we just let the situation to get out of hand even more than now?
KingstonSeagull
New member
Give these guys a call they usually give free advice http://www.pestcallonline.co.uk/
Thanks but as I said we have seagull proofed our roof but next door have not.
KingstonSeagull
New member
I meant for advice more than anything they have given me free impartial advice in the past...
Only just spotted this thread. Only YESTERDAY did we have to break open our blocked off chimney because a "baby" seagull fell down it. The chimney had been blocked off on the roof as well, but obviously not well enough! I say baby, it was still bigger than our cat...
Our bedroom window is right near the nest, I too am being woken up at 4-5am every morning by horrible screeching.
Bloody pests.
Our bedroom window is right near the nest, I too am being woken up at 4-5am every morning by horrible screeching.
Bloody pests.
