Wearing one thing could be key to stopping seagulls from stealing your food
As the mercury rises and the prospect of summer holidays draws closer, many folks are gearing up to hit the beach and savour some seaside staples such as ice cream or fish and chips. But nothing can spoil a perfect summer's day out quite like greedy seagulls looking to pilfer your tasty treats.
To aid beach visitors in protecting their grub, and to prevent local businesses from dealing with upset customers, specialists at Dojo have consulted with seagull experts. Dr Neeltje Boogert, a research fellow in behavioural ecology at the University of Exeter, delivered key advice on keeping your grub safe from gulls during the summer across the UK.
Dr Boogert said: "Gulls learn about food from people, and they're super generalist foragers, so anything that people eat, gulls will eat as well. Although it should be noted that they're less keen on vegetables."
Though these birds aren't fussy about their food, your fashion might just play a role in fending off the feathered foes.
According to Dr Boogert: "Many animals find highly contrasting patterns aversive, like zebra stripes or wasp/bee patterns.
"So there's a chance they might initially be less keen to snatch ice creams, with alternating white or yellow and black stripes."
Last month, the Daily Record reported how high street shops were refused permission to cull dive-bombing seagulls and told to give customers umbrellas instead by a Scottish Government agency.
Businesses in Inverness and Nairn claimed that they're being tormented by the birds because NatureScot will not grant licences to control them.
When challenged on their rules the body said people would have to 'find ways to live with gulls' and insisted the creatures are a 'species of conservation concern' in Scotland.
NatureScot changed the rules last year to make it harder to obtain a gull control licence despite the legislation on the issue remaining the same.
Dr Boogert provided her best tips to stop seagulls from making off with your snacks, as reported by Devon Live.
Keep your eye on any gulls around you
"Gulls find the human gaze aversive and are less likely to approach your food when you're staring them down."
Block and obstruct seagulls when eating
"Eat underneath a parasol, umbrella, roof, or narrowly-spaced bunting, or with your back against a wall. Gulls need an easy or unobstructed approach and escape route if they're going to steal your food.
They will approach from behind, which is blocked when you're standing against a wall, and they're not comfortable flying underneath roofs or bunting."
Never leave your bag open
"Cover your food and zip up bags as they're very familiar with grocery bags, crisp packets, and pasty bags, and they will rifle through your bags if unattended."
Avoid feeding the gulls!
"Human food is bad for their health, and feeding encourages stealing."
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