Supermarket praised for care of nesting gull

About eight parking spaces have been fenced off to allow space for the nesting gull and her chicks

A supermarket in Cornwall has been praised after it cordoned off a large area of its carpark for a nesting gull.

The RSPCA said it was "unusual" for a herring gull to nest in such a busy area, but was "pleased" with the measures taken by staff.

A spokesperson for the Morrisons supermarket in Liskeard confirmed the chicks hatched in June, and the cordon would remain in place until the birds "decide to leave".

RSPCA officer, Rebecca Machin, said the staff had provided a "lovely example of people looking after gulls".

An RSPCA officer said it would be another five to six weeks before the chicks can fly

Staff at Morrisons Liskeard cordoned off an area for the nesting gull

She said: "Because it's the law not to disturb birds as they're building their nests, the Morrisons staff cordoned off the area, sacrificing eight parking places I believe, in order to keep the gulls safe from being disturbed by shoppers.

"It's fantastic news because we've heard recently they've hatched two of their eggs.

"I'm really, really, really pleased to have this lovely example of people looking after gulls."

Ms Machin said it would be another five to six weeks before the chicks can fly.

She advised shoppers to be "wide eyed" during their visits to Morrisons as the chicks continued to develop.

"They will likely stay in the area beyond that and the parents will keep feeding them sometimes even until they're six months old," she added.

"Thank you very much to the staff for showing a fantastic example of how it might be a bit inconvenient and a bit of work, but we can all play a part in looking after wildlife."