BRITAIN’S “XL GULLIES” ARE TURNING SEASIDE WALKS INTO A NIGHTMARE

They steal food.

They dive at pedestrians.

And in some cases, their attacks have left people bleeding or seriously injured.

Across parts of the UK, increasingly aggressive seagulls are becoming a growing source of concern for residents and visitors.

 “IT WAS LIKE BEING HIT WITH A HAMMER”

In Prestatyn, Wales, former mayor Tony Flynn said he was struck in the head by a seagull after leaving an evening prayer meeting.

He described feeling a powerful impact before realizing his head was bleeding.

The incident happened near young gulls, leading him to believe the bird may have been protecting its chicks.

16 ATTACKS IN JUST TWO DAYS

In Inverness, Scotland, reports cited by The Sun described 16 gull attacks over two days during a children’s Easter event.

The birds were reportedly attempting to steal food and were even seen targeting children.

Other reported incidents involved people suffering serious injuries after being dive-bombed, including falls resulting in broken bones.

 THEN THERE ARE THE FOOD “MUGGINGS”

In seaside towns and cities including Brighton, residents say gulls have become increasingly bold around people carrying food.

One woman described being struck multiple times while eating outdoors.

In another incident, a gull reportedly grabbed a sandwich before several other birds joined in.

The birds aren’t necessarily attacking because they are hunting people.

A major factor is simply food.

WHY ARE THEY SO AGGRESSIVE?

Wildlife experts say gulls that swoop at people are often protecting chicks during breeding season.

The RSPCA has urged people to keep their distance from nests and young birds rather than provoking or approaching them.

Human food waste is another major part of the problem.

Easy access to discarded food can encourage gulls to remain around populated areas and become increasingly comfortable approaching people.

SOME RESIDENTS SAY THEY CAN’T ESCAPE THEM

In Somerset, residents described gulls waking them early in the morning, landing on roofs and repeatedly swooping around homes.

One resident also reported that an elderly relative was injured during an encounter with a gull.

Meanwhile, some residents have tried physical deterrents such as roof spikes to discourage nesting.

BUT THERE’S A COMPLICATED PROBLEM

Gulls are protected wildlife in the UK.

That means people cannot simply kill or deliberately injure them because they are considered a nuisance.

The RSPCA argues that the long-term solution should focus on reducing access to food, managing waste and preventing conflict, rather than cruelty toward the birds.

 WHO IS REALLY RESPONSIBLE?

The frightening encounters raise an uncomfortable question.

Are Britain’s gulls becoming unusually aggressive?

Or have humans created the perfect conditions for them to become increasingly bold?

When food is readily available, cities provide nesting sites and people feed birds, the boundary between wildlife and urban life becomes increasingly blurred.

And during breeding season, getting too close to a nest can turn a seemingly harmless encounter into a very different experience.

THEY’RE NOT JUST STEALING CHIPS.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED.

 EASY FOOD IS HELPING BRING THEM CLOSER TO HUMANS.

AND SOME RESIDENTS SAY THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE.

The next time you eat fish and chips by the British coast, you may want to look up.

Because the biggest threat to your lunch might already be watching from above. 😳🐦

Based on publicly reported accounts and wildlife guidance. Individual incidents described above are allegations/reports and should not be generalized to all gulls.