At Last

A beautiful winter day. 
They have been in very short supply so far this winter.

Mastery of the air

This seagull was thoroughly enjoying the gale force wind sweeping along the waterfront,
as it swooped, hovered and dived.

Along the coast of Devon and Cornwall it is said that ...

... you are never more than six feet from a seagull.

Perfect Equilibrium

The seagull who came to tea.

Ever watchful

I wonder if this will keep the seagulls away?

Mist on the River

Seagulls don't scare that easily.

Theoretically these two artificial birds of prey should scare away the seagulls.

Click to check out the reaction of these seagulls to similar "scarers"

Pair Bonding (2)

It would seem that the pair of gulls, featured yesterday, have definitely bonded.

The owners of this house could be hearing the patter of three pairs tiny of webbed feet in June.

Seagulls are largely monogamous, returning to the same breeding spot each year,

so the house owners may not be overjoyed at that prospect.

 

Pair Bonding (1)

Gulls just want to have fun.

The seagull's reputation as a marauding nuisance who will steal your Fish and Chips 

as you eat them by the seaside, is quite misplaced,

Gulls just want to have fun.

I came across these explanatory posters in Port Issac, on the North Cornwall coast.

The Seagull War continues

It is clear that not everyone is prepared to follow the City Council's plea not to feed the seagulls.

Chaos Theory

"One meteorologist remarked that if the theory were correct,

 one flap of a seagull's wings could change the course of the weather forever."

                                                                                                                     Edward Lorenz 1963

Public Enemy Number One

Long John Seagull

This notorious  one legged "pirate" is looking for unsuspecting victims
as they eat their lunch along the quayside.

The Reconnaissance Squad

Eating Fish and Chips by the sea in the early evening air, was once one of summer's great pleasures.

But now you can be sure that these two will spot you in seconds and call the full attack force.

Reinforcements Arrive.

As the Seagull War intensifies, a squadron of combat-hardened defenders, has been brought in to protect customers at the pavement cafés and coffee shops.

It is hoped that once the rain has stopped and people are once again seated outside enjoying their "Full English", there will be fewer "Dive Bombing Raids".

Feeding Seagulls ....

......  is a really controversial activity in most coastal towns in Devon and Cornwall.

Some town councils are seeking to make it unlawful.

 It is claimed that the gulls have become an increasingly aggressive nuisance and health hazard.

Attitudes seem to be hardening on both sides.

The Song of the Seagull

There are growing calls by many local citizens, for drastic measures to be taken to control the number of seagulls. But I suspect the gulls are ready for the fight. 

This youngster is clearly ready to stand his ground. This is his
 battlecry.

Click here to hear him sing

I won't back down

by Tom Petty

Well I won't back down, no I won't back down

You could stand me up at the gates of hell

But I won't back down

Gonna stand my ground, won't be turned around

And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down

Gonna stand my ground and I won't back down

Chorus

Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out

Hey I will stand my ground

And I won't back down

Well I know what's right, I got just one life

In a world that keeps on pushin' me around

But I'll stand my ground and I won't back down

Hey baby there ain't no easy way out

Hey I will stand my ground

And I won't back down