Feeding Frenzy
A couple of years ago, at a seaside resort on the west coast of England, I saw a seagull take an ice cream cone clean out of a woman’s hand as she strolled along the promenade.
If pigeons are the scourge of the cities, gulls hold menacing sway by the sea.
Now one resort on the east coast of England is taking drastic action, warning holidaymakers that they could be fined up to £2,500 ($4,100) for feeding the birds – either intentionally or by leaving food waste.
The town council in Aldeburgh, an up-market resort in Suffolk, says the area is under siege from the gulls. The town has two renowned fish and chip shops and therein lies the problem.
Some people have been offering tit-bits of chips (French fries), which has encouraged the birds to swoop and steal food. Other visitors have discarded wrappings, which the gulls scavenge for food scraps. As well as that, holidaymakers and locals alike are woken by their raucous calling.
Aldeburgh, which hosts an internationally-renowned music festival, also has a message for those contemplating walking their dogs on the beach during the summer months – don’t. This offence carries a maximum penalty of £500 ($825).
by Andy Moreton
