People to blame

Most people would, too, but unfortunately there is a proportion of the population who are either stupid, ignorant or only think of themselves.

The latter are invariably the litter louts, the former maybe individuals who think the gulls need to be fed. No! They are vermin, along with, amongst others, rats and urban foxes.

I’ve moved around quite a lot, but have been fortunate enough mostly to be able to live near the sea, which I love. Until I moved to Rustington seven years ago, I had never experienced problems with gulls.

Two years ago, I had the terrifying experience of being dive-bombed and attacked by a gull and it wasn’t until I got home, that I realised my head was bleeding.

If they aren’t nesting, which seems to be most of the year, they are sitting on the roofs, just waiting to swoop down and whip anything looking like food. Woe betide anyone in their way.

A word of warning regarding culling, though. In a village near Chichester, the RSPB agreed to destroy some gulls’ nests because of the problem, but did warn the residents that the gulls might return. And they did.

Gulls have become a dangerous menace, but who caused it?

Pat Onions

Wakehurst Place

Rustington