Don’t feed the gulls, councils warn

Residents have been advised against feeding seagulls after councils received a spike in complaints concerning noise and disruption caused by the birds.

Since the Covid lockdown, there has been a rise in the number of reports of gulls beingfedfromhomeaddresses in and around Adur and Worthing, which have led to a riseintheamountofdiscarded rubbishandevenabreakdown in neighbourly relations.

Gullcolonieshavealsobeen known to attack people in a bid to steal food, while regular feeding at homes can lead to damage to roofs and gutters and blockages of gas flues by nesting materials.

Allbirds,includinggulls,are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

A spokesman for Adur and Worthing councils said: “Gulls are iconic to seaside towns like Worthing and as a nation of animal lovers the councils here understand people may be thinking they are doing the right thing by feeding gulls.

“Butwearegettingmultiple complaints about people excessively feeding seagulls at their home addresses and this is dangerous for gulls and their nutritional benefit as the food theyarebeinggivenisnottheir natural diet.

“The message from Adur & Worthing Council is that it really isn’t a good idea to feed seagulls and because of the problems it causes both them and us.”

ThecouncilsaidtheRSPCA advised that the best and most humane ways of discouraging nesting in homes was to use simple wire-frame structures around chimney pots, antiperching devices, such as spines, which should be fitted professionally.

Homeowners are also advised to clear moss and plants from roofs and gutters.