Multiple menace

Herring gulls now commonly rest on rooftops in many coastal towns and villages. Roof nesting by herring gulls is a fairly recent phenomenon. Since the 1970s the number of roof nesting gulls has steadily increased.

The fact that the dried-out mess they leave on rooftops will be carried all over the neighbourhood by the wind should be enough to produce action on health grounds alone.

Bird droppings carry many diseases transmissible to humans, including thrush, E. coli and salmonella poisoning, not things you would want in or around schools, hospitals, food handling areas, etc. Seagulls also carry a range of ecto-parasites, including bed-bugs, fleas and ticks, and these are also known to affect humans.

Many people who have gulls on their property find they cause nuisance, including noise, from calling gulls and their heavy footsteps, spreading the contents of bin bags over the road in search of a snack, and the mess from their droppings, fouling washing, gardens and people.

They also cause damage to property, by picking at roofing materials and by their nests blocking gutters or holding moisture against the building structure.

Nests can also block gas flues, valley and parapet gutters, with the former having potentially serious consequences if gas fumes are prevented from venting properly, or if flooding occurs as a result of blocked gutters.

Birds can dive and swoop on people and pets. This usually occurs when they feel their chicks are in danger or chicks have fallen from the nest and adult birds attempt to prevent them coming to harm by frightening away potential threats.

Rarely, if ever, does the herring gull actually make physical contact. It is a disconcerting experience certainly, but even a raised arm will deter them.

I look forward to a time when I no longer have to see or hear a seagull.

Henry Nash

Gloucester Place

Littlehampton