Warnings over food thefts from dive-bombing gulls

Warnings have been issued as breeding seabirds scavenge for food in Jersey and Guernsey

Warnings have been issued reminding people not to feed the gull population in the Channel Islands, after a spate of dive-bombing incidents.

Cafe goers in Guernsey and Jersey are among those being urged to be wary when eating outdoors, amid reports of the birds snatching food from hands and plates.

MYLK Market Kiosk in St Peter Port, Guernsey, said gulls were prone to stealing biscuits from coffee cups, leading to customers spilling hot drinks.

As well as placing a warning sign by the till, staff caution customers about being swooped on by 'Steve the seagull'.

Protected Species

One worker said the problem had led some cafe goers to become "nervous" and "afraid".

In Jersey, where feeding wild birds could carry a fine of up to £1,000, a St Helier business has also had to issue its own warning about feeding the gulls.

La Frégate Café leaseholder Diana Troy says the fines - first introduced in 2019 - are a "good deterrent" but "difficult to implement".

She said: "We have notices everywhere saying please don't leave your things outside unattended, especially food, but these days they just dive-bomb anyway."

Colonies of gulls are more likely to scavenge during the summer nesting season while rearing chicks.

The Parish of St Saviours recently warned islanders to dispose of their rubbish responsibly to avoid attracting the birds which can pose health risks from droppings.

The parish said: "The noise from these birds is often a nuisance in residential areas and feeding them or leaving out easily accessible bags of rubbish only amplifies this."

It comes as British conservationists say damage to natural habitats is driving gull populations to move in to urban spaces.

In both islands the birds are a protected species, where the disturbance of breeding gulls or their nests is a criminal offence.