CIARAN SNEDDON ON BROUGHTY FERRY BEACH

We all know someone who has been harassed over their steak bake or chased for a chip by a bold gull, not to mention the occasional surprise gift from the sky which can ruin your day in seconds.

On a lunchtime visit to Broughty Ferry’s glorious beach, I sat down to enjoy one of the gulls’ favourite foods – a hot, greasy sausage roll.

Within seconds the peaceful summer sky was full of would-be thieves, circling to get a glimpse of my snack.

I had unintentionally become a Hitchcockian Tippi Hedren, victimised by aerial assault.

It seemed there were two waves of attack. The smaller black headed gulls were the infantry, hopping along the ground, testing my lines of defence and racing for the odd crumb that went their way.

The herring gulls, meanwhile, were the cavalry. They kept their distance, waiting for the opportune moment before swooping in and taking the prize, forcing their smaller counterparts out of the way.

In a brave moment, one even swooped in to grab another sausage roll from the sitting baker’s bag and gulped it down whole.

It’s easy to see how small children could find these birds intimidating. Individually, they are of a surprisingly big size, and when an entire flock descends, it can be daunting.

They’re also more intelligent than we give them credit for; they are sneaky, and quick to learn.

Gulls adapt their lifestyle to suit their needs – ensuring they’re awake and ready during takeaway hours and patrolling picnic spots during lunchtime. All of this makes them perfectly designed to prey on outdoor eaters and explains why urban living beats a life at sea.