Sir, – The trouble caused by seagulls feeding in our cities and suburbs may be due to the absence of city dumps, which provided all the requirements for scavenging gulls. We have sanitised the collection of domestic waste, and this is the unforeseen consequence. – Yours, etc,
THOMAS J CLARKE,
Dublin 13.
Sir, – It was refreshing to read Lorna Siggins's well-researched and equally well-informed article regarding herring gulls ("Perspective needed on 'killer seagulls' debate, says expert", July 25th).
Herring gulls are nature’s scavengers, and it was at one time common to see them scouring the beaches and tidelines for dead crabs, shrimps, small fish and waste. However, pollution and over-fishing have depleted their food supply, and this, coupled with botulism, has reduced their numbers dramatically in the past 10 years. Herring gulls are now on the “red list”, classifying them as endangered.
Their search for food to feed their young has resulted in small numbers colonising urban areas. This is not unique to Ireland, and is commonplace across Europe. A benefit of their presence is that it guarantees a rat-free environment, as their scavenging for waste is so effective.
Like many much smaller garden birds, gulls have adapted to living in urban areas and, being a sociable species, associate people with food. They are harmless, and their gregarious behaviour is amusing.
Recent outbursts by some of our legislators are without foundation, and the suggestion recently by a senator that gulls are a “threat to mankind” is embarrassing.
It was encouraging to read you editorial (July 26th), which reminded us that nature is always a barometer of our own precarious existence and that to mask what it is telling us is foolhardy. – Yours, etc,
PETER PEARSON EVANS.
Ashford,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – While we are culling those vicious and nasty seagulls, can I suggest we add stinging bees (responsible for several deaths in Ireland each year), biting dogs and, oh yes, spiders, because my wife simply doesn’t like them! – Yours, etc,
THOMAS G COTTER, PhD
Department
of Biochemistry,
University College Cork.
Sir, – People have been known to complain that, with the advent of double glazing, they were no longer able to hear the dawn chorus. Very recently there has been a complaint that seabirds are waking people up too early in the mornings.
Could the opening or closing of windows be, at least, a partial solution?
For me, a memory evocative of a childhood in Dalkey was lying in bed in the early morning listening to the somewhat raucous sound of gulls calling. – Yours, etc,
RONAN BROWNE,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.