Gulls were around a long time before people were
MAY I respectfully suggest that Dave from Kingsteignton moves right out into the country? Then he may get some sleep.
The seagulls were here long before you and the mess they make goes with the first shower, unlike the dirty humans who spit their chewing gum out, which stays for ever.
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Another thing to remember is that if there were no seagulls there would be a lot more rats, and I know which I would rather have.
Seagulls are a part of the seaside and they are really wonderful, graceful birds and a part of our heritage.
I know there are some people who feed them and I expect they enjoy doing so.
You are right; they are protected birds; and quite rightly so.
Can you imagine the coast without seagulls?
You could, of course, start worrying about the mess made by humans, and if I had my way I would create legislation and make the providers of chewing gum go round every month to clear up the mess caused by their product.
Can you imagine? It is chewed, then spat out from somebody's mouth.
The people who do this could quite easily put it in bins, but they can't be bothered. This is what I call offensive.
The seagulls are doing what comes naturally, but take note; after a shower of rain it's all gone.
JUNE RICHARDS, Southfield Avenue, Paignton
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by geoff, Torquay
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 9:10PM
“I love the sound of the gulls, but the sad thing is that some of them live off our discarded rubbish, and probably come to a sticky end.”
by Elbury Ken, Elbury Cove
Monday, September 06 2010, 9:55PM
“I love gulls. They are an icon of the coast, both the urban and the rural coast. Beautiful, well adapted masters of sea, air and rubbish disposal.
I agree with the letter writer, if you don't like them move elsewhere.”
by Stuart, Shaldon
Monday, September 06 2010, 6:14PM
“Some facts:
Rats are not increasing: in historical terms urban rat populations were much higher before municipal rubbish collections.
Yes, the EU CFP needs reform - as the RSPB has been campaigning for many tears. The level of "bycatch" (including large numbers of seabirds caught in drift nets) is unacceptable. Dead fish are still dead fish and the decline in gull numbers is a well documented fact.
Killing more of them will not help - we have to accept that they are a nuisance and get on with life. If our only answer to a problem is more destruction then I am afraid we may not be as intelligent as a race as we might like to think!!!!!”
by dave, Newton Abbot
Monday, September 06 2010, 11:56AM
“Stuart
Yes indeed they do inhabit the towns because of peoples beastly habits in discarding all manner of rubbish on the streets!”
by dave, newton abbot
Monday, September 06 2010, 11:49AM
“Stuart Shaldon
Had you not heard because of the mad European Union Fisheries Policy
We dump thousand of tons of fish off the shoreline every day!
Trot over to Teignmouth and ask the fishermen.”
by dave, newton abbot
Monday, September 06 2010, 11:44AM
“Ant Paignton
Not so! rats are on the increase!”
by dave, newton abbot
Monday, September 06 2010, 11:41AM
“Thank you Sue,Torquay - EXACTLY!
Needless to say my reply is already on the way.
As I do not normally become involved in media mud slinging, I will say no more.”
by Ant, Paignton
Sunday, September 05 2010, 11:40AM
“Plainly not going to happen, Sue.
Perhaps you should be pleased that the gulls compete with the rats for our discarded food so maybe the rat population is reduced.”
by sue, torquay
Sunday, September 05 2010, 11:04AM
“Yes I would Stuart.”
by Stuart, Shaldon
Sunday, September 05 2010, 10:08AM
“Sorry Sue, it's you who missed the point. The dramatic decline in the seagull population is due to the increase in the human population and the devastation to the gull's habitat caused by industrial fishing and pollution. They inhabit the towns BECAUSE of what we have done i.e. there is insufficient food at sea.
Do you still want "a complete cull of these urban gulls"? Just how many seagulls left would be OK with you?”