Humans not helping with gull problem

THE council warned people the other day not to feed gulls after concerns were raised about population numbers in the city.

I wish people would take heed of this advice. In my area, there is one man who lives a few doors away who constantly feeds birds – crows and gulls among them – which ends up with cars, doors and windows covered in bird poo.

Birds need to eat, that much is obvious, but by throwing food out for them in his back garden, he’s not helping the smaller birds who might like eating from a feeder – he’s attracting the bigger ones who see it as an easy way to get a meal.

Coupled with all the bin problems we’ve had recently, it’s no wonder gulls are having a field day in Dundee. And it’s little surprise they attack people for food when they’re being encouraged in this way.

I once sat and witnessed a woman leaving half a fish supper on top of a bin at the seafront in Broughty Ferry for the gulls to feast on. This was despite me and others sitting eating our dinners nearby.

She was totally oblivious to this and how her actions were only encouraging the gulls to eat food that has been cooked for humans.

Folk will moan at the council for leaving too much rubbish for the gulls to get stuck into – but people need to look at their behaviour too.

In a flap.