Seagulls revisited
You may remember my post ‘Seagulls or is it a return to the birds?’ that I shared recently. Well, a trip to Sidmouth at the week-end has added a little more to the tale.
The hotel
We are not regular visitors to this seaside resort in Devon but when we do stay over we always book into The Royal York and Faulkner Hotel. It sounds posh and I will be writing more fully about the hotel later and whether it deserves that title. However, it is on the seafront so the views are wonderful.
Now seafronts not only have waves but they have gulls. Sidmouth is no exception. When you add parapets on the buildings you are going to get sea gulls making their presence felt. Meet our companion
No restrictions
If you look closely through the window, you will see said parapet and notice there is nothing to prevent the birds walking along. I’m not sure how much of an impact to the view it would be to put a strip of those ‘sharp pointy things ‘(technical term!) that they use on spires and places that they do not want birds perching on. It is quite a width though so cost may be a factor to them not being used.
However, looking through the folder of ‘Useful Information for our guests’ we spotted this which says:
Sidmouth is being blighted by nuisance seagulls who have taken to nesting in the town and who are often aggressive when protecting their young.
They also scavenge for food snatching ice cream and take away food from the hands of visitors.
A falconer is now flying his birds in Sidmouth and other East Devon seaside towns to disturb the gulls’ urban nesting sites
Please do not encourage the gulls by feeding them.
Action
So, the townsfolk have taken action after all. They are allowing nature to play her part whilst we humans are asked not to encourage them with food they probably shouldn’t be eating.
I’m not surprised the gulls are aggressive if their nesting sites are attacked and I suspect with hawks flying the situation may get worse before it gets better. Our friend Sid (yes, we gave him a name) was there most of the time. He didn’t ‘ask’ for food but hubby was nervous enough to make sure the window was closed enough to prevent Sid from getting in. All told though, don’t you think he’s handsome?
How do feel about the hawk?
Just this week the hospital where I work the birds of prey have been brought in to deal with attacking gulls!
It would be scary I’m sure but I’d love to see the tussle Gilly
Seagulls are a nuisance everywhere. Here as well. I recall one place we lived,we had 13 lakes close by. My mother hung up the wash. Along came the seagulls and splattered all over the sheets. She had to hose them down and start all over again.
I admit that hawk has unusual eyes, not that I’ve seen any before. Don’t they appear steely as a used car salesman? 😀
Love that picture Tess!
I know, right? 😀
In the towns defence, possibly not this town, I did hear on the news a while ago about a little dog pecked to death by gulls in someones back garden. Also in the same town down Devon way of an elderly lady who was terrorised by gulls pecking at her, each time she went out her front door, so became housebound. This gets worse when they have young birds in the nest.
No need to defend the town. I feel for them. It is scary when the gulls swoop. We’ve even had them in the centre of Bristol stealing food from passers by. I think the evolution of take away food & the change to lunch time routines has much to answer for.