Herring Gulls (Larus Argentatus)

I find it amazing that these scavenger omnivores are on the Red List because they're everywhere! Their erratic behaviour unfortunately is frowned upon by locals but their hardy characteristics are endured by the locals and tourists who flock to Falmouth. I actually find these birds rather handsome and if you have a little patience, they're interesting to watch; a definite icon to coastal towns.  My photos below are of a pair who use to visit my decking everyday, they don't bother me in the least and occasionally I will throw a small amount of food out to them.

In an issue of Cornwall Today (July 2001) it was estimated that there were/are 6000 gulls in Cornwall.  They are relatively smart birds as a male will fly to another town and if he sees chicks then he knows he can return later to find a potential mate. They are classed as pests but in fairness some of their behaviour can be dealt with by taking a few simple steps:

• Don't eat your food around the Docks where food snatching is most common, these areas are general habitats/basking spots for gulls. Why would they go hunt for raw fish when they can have it battered and with chips?
• If you have a problem with the so called pest on your property, don't deal with it yourself, especially if you don't know what you are doing, leave it to a professional. Gulls WILL protect their eggs and hatchlings at any cost.
• Cover your bin bags up at night and weigh them down with an object, it works for me and it will work for you.
• Don't shoot gulls! It can put you at risk of the firearm law amongst many others.. Do yourself a favour and read up on it.
• Stop whining to the media about the seagull community. People already know what they're like and it's just giving them another excuse to dislike them. This happens to many other species too! It's unfair to lead them to their persecution 
• If it says don't feed them, THEN DON'T FEED THEM. It will only encourage them to call others and it will cause a scene. I know that I stated I feed them occasionally, however I do it on my own property. 

The pictures below are of a pair of gulls are frequent visitors and pose no threat to me, they're actually quite sweet in their own hardy way. Leave them alone and they will leave you alone.

... Get use to it, they're here to stay!