A family say they have become virtual prisoners in their home after being targeted by “psycho” seagulls. The family now arm themselves with brooms and walking sticks and only take their dog on short walks while carrying a garden parasol as a defence. Dad Dave Baker, 43, has been repeatedly dive-bombed in what he claims are "co-ordinated attacks" as he runs the gauntlet to the local shops.
If the birds are seen lying in wait, mum Nicki, 41, must phone ahead and ask daughter Katrina, 10, to fetch the garden parasol so she can make it back home safety, according to a report in NorthWalesLive. Nicki said: "They are dangerous. Yesterday it took me three attempts to get home. It’s very stressful for us as a family. On school days, Dave has to go outside first and open the car door so that Katrina can dash outside without being attacked.”
On Monday the postman was dive-bombed – and even the dog has been targeted. Jessie, a full-grown Staffie x collie, has often been seen running back indoors with its tail between its legs. “She’s a big, strapping dog but she’s terrified of them,” said Nicki. “And she’s supposed to be a dangerous breed!”
The family moved into their seaside bungalow in Kinmel Bay, Conwy, North Wales, two years ago. They soon discovered that the property had become a favourite nesting spot for Herring Gulls, but things escalated dramatically this year when a chick tumbled from the roof. Seagulls are notoriously aggressive when protecting their nesting sites – as well as dive-bombing victims, they will defecate and vomit on anything they perceive as a threat.
A roofer has twice refused to repair tiles for fear of being attacked and the family now endure leaking ceilings as well as the territorial birds with 6ft wingspans that look even bigger when flapping inches overhead.
Gulls are protected by law and it is illegal to remove their eggs, or to disturb their nests, once they have begun nesting. Dave, an Amazon driver, knows this but is incensed that human safety comes second to wildlife sensitivities.
“I’m worried for the safety of my wife and daughter,” he said. “If the birds were a pest, like rats, you could lay down poison. But the authorities seem to think human life is worth less than that of a flying rodent. If my daughter gets injured, however, I will take action.”
It appears that day-to-day life in the family’s cul-de-sac, 300 yards from the sea, is now dictated by the resident gulls. Katrina’s trampoline at the front of the property lies unused and Dave must plan ahead when he wants to go to the recycling bins outdoors.
But one task they cannot avoid is taking Jessie for a walk on the communal green opposite the bungalow. Dave has learned the hard way how not to go unprotected; now he always holds a garden parasol aloft as he and the dog shuffle into the open. Nicki said: “Sometimes he takes a garden broom for extra protection. When I go out by myself, I have a walking stick to fend off the birds. I used to carry an umbrella but it wasn’t very practical.
“Usually they prefer to attack in groups and dive-bomb you one at a time, like it’s coordinated. They swoop down, with claws out and they can get very close. They are psychos. Mostly it’s just us they target but some passers-by get attacked too. The other day I saw a dog walker waving a plastic bag over her head as she tried to get away.”
Dave and Nicki both accept that co-existing with gulls is the price of living by the seaside. They have no wish to harm the birds and have begun exploring solutions, including netting and spikes over roosting areas. “But I’ve seen gulls nesting on roofs-with-spikes, so I’m not sure how effective they are,” said Nicki.
For now, they must wait until the chick fledges and its parents no longer have anything to protect. However, the chick’s injuries are a concern. It continues to wander the street and neither people nor dogs dare approach for fear of a wing-lashing by its parents. Dave said: “We may just have to wait for it to die.”
