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WATCH out, there's a gull about!
They may be a joy to holidaymakers who delight in feeding them – but divebombing seagulls are proving a nuisance to fed-up locals.
And the problem is viewed so seriously, a seagull survival pack has been created in the corridors of power.
Under fire residents will be given advice on how to prevent being swooped on by our feathered friends.
It comes as the peak gull season approaches with the birds preparing to rear their young.
A spokesman for Wyre Council said there were frequent complaints about gulls by people living in Cleveleys and Fleetwood.
He said: "Although they can at times be a nuisance, gulls are a natural part of a coastal environment. The council has no legal powers or responsibilities to control gulls
"But there are things residents can do to help."
The action pack recommends deterring the birds by equipping buildings with small spikes which the council sells.
When a bird "dive-bombs" it is probably because someone has got too close to a nest or stranded youngster, it adds.
The council has released details about feeding habits, the breeding season – April to June – and the fact that after 10 days young birds will try to fly and frequently land in yards and gardens.
The spokesman added: "Lots of different methods have been tried to control them and none have been really successful.
"Many people call for them to be shot but this simply means another bird moves in to take its place and there are dangers with shooting in urban areas."
Margaret Bysterdosch, secretary of the Fylde branch of the RSPCA, said she was "dreading" the mating season when birds would be knocked down by cars and injured falling from buildings.
She said: "If they were in their natural habitat they would fall into the sea and they could cope with that but in a town they are falling into the road.
"They used to live more on the dock but since Freeport was built there they have moved into the town.
"People get very emotional about this but we have to take them to the vets because we have nowhere to keep them.
"Most of the time the vet has little option but to put them down especially when they are badly injured.
"I don't like to see people taking pot-shots at them with air rifles.
"All nesting birds are protected by the law and it is illegal to shoot them."
The advice from Paul Ellis secretary of the Fylde Bird Club was simply not to feed the gulls.
He said: "There is a very direct connection between food source and their nesting. Junk food being discarded on the streets is also a problem. But take away the food and that will help.
"Gulls are very opportunistic and they are quick to take advantage of any food source. They are very successful birds and you have to admire them.
"People should try to disrupt them before they make their nests, but not where they have got to the point of building the nest because they can get very aggressive."
The Gazette has previously reported on a host of seagull bombing victims.
Shelly Flitcroft, of Conway Avenue, Cleveleys, told how she come under attack every time she ventured into her garden.
Blackpool chef Graeme Welsh said he had been the victim of aerial swoops by gulls outside the Kwizeen restaurant in King Street while hotelier Richard Layfield, of The Gresham Hotel on Adelaide Street, said he was stalked daily by Perky the seagull which lay in wait on top of his hotel.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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