A very discerning bird
In Hitchcock’s Birds it was poor Tippie Hedren who got pecked sore to the delight of the sadistic director. But in a quiet Somerset village the local seagulls are targeting the men. More specifically, postmen. These birds are obviously very discerning and a credit to the country.
‘” src=”http://www.blightyblog.co.uk/archives/seagull.jpg” width=”479″ height=”337″ />
As British seagulls exist mainly on a diet of food plucked from the overweight hands of the nations gluttons it is unsurprising that they’re getting a tad overweight themselves. If fast food outlets sold tuna salads and sticks of celery there wouldn’t be half the problem. But as it is our seagulls are now big enough to knock a postman off his bicycle from a hundred yards. And they do, quite often, it seems. And when Blighty says postmen the emphasis is on the men . Postwomen are quite safe, even the butch ones.
A Royal Mail spokesman insists that this is a serious problem and not funny at all. However, a Royal Mail spokeswoman said it was hilarious and regretted the fact no one had caught one of the dive-bombers on film yet. It is said to have had an impact on the morale of postmen in the area but locals say it’s difficult to tell as they’re a picture of misery at the best of times.
Meanwhile locals are hoping that the seagulls next turn their attention to salesmen and Jehovah’s witnesses.
Posted: July 27th, 2005 under In Passing.
Comments: 5
Comments
Comment from hibiscus anne
Time: July 27, 2005, 11:37 pm
Their American (specifically, Floridian) cousins envy them.
Anytime you try to feed them anymore on the beach, a life guard or park ranger will come shrieking down the beach, “You can’t do thaaaaat!!!!”
I guess it’s because they want them on strict diets. Poor things. And they love potato chips (crisps) and cheetos too.
Comment from Marlowe
Time: July 28, 2005, 10:25 am
At many seaside towns in England there are signs telling you not to feed the seagulls. Trouble is they don’t wait about to be offered food! I’ve seen them swoop and snatch people’s fish and chips more than once. They know how to make you feel uncomfortable too, stalking you as you eat 
I like them myself.
Comment from hibiscus anne
Time: July 28, 2005, 6:45 pm
What I hate is that I grew up feeding them,most of my life, and now it’s off limits!
They’re definitely not shy birds either. (neither are the cranes) They will stick to their ground on the beach and slowly step out of the way as you walk past them. It’s funny to watch.
Unfortunately, with so much development (and damn Yankees moving down from up North, lol), it’s not quite the same beach I grew up in. (and that development has also helped create the dangerous rip currents, but I digress) Save that topic for another time!
Comment from DeskMonkey
Time: July 31, 2005, 11:16 am
What I don’t like about seagulls here is the are constantly s**ting on my car, and the noise - that screeching squawking noise. Day and night. There are hundreds here nesting.
It is terrible.
Comment from Marlowe
Time: July 31, 2005, 7:24 pm
Hi DeskMonkey, yes I remember the ones at St Ives waking me up in the morning… no, middle of the night daily.
Write a comment