BRITAIN is under attack from seagulls as more and more aggressively marauding birds venture away from the coast to swoop and prey on the country's citizens.
This week, bird experts forecast that every town in Britain would soon be facing a seagull problem as the combative nesting birds - dubbed "urban gulls" - move to find new food sources.
The territorial gulls, whose numbers are set to rocket from 130 000 breeding pairs to 800 000 in a decade, will attack humans and pets to defend their young, it was predicted.
The Daily Mail reported that at least two people had already died of heart attacks caused by the swooping birds.
Not only that, but in Devon, a nine-year-old Yorkshire terrier bled to death with a fractured skull after being attacked by the birds.
The most common species - the lesser black-back and herring gulls - have been singled out as the most intimidating.
Under the headline "Gull-zilla!", the Mail noted that these birds have wingspans of up to 1.5m, weigh around a kilogram and can reach speeds of up to 65km/h in a dive when attacking anyone who goes near their offspring. - Andrew Donaldson, London
A quarter of city-dwelling gulls are shunning migration and staying in Britain all-year round, it has been reported.
Their population increased following the 1956 Clean Air Act, which prevented rubbish being burnt on tips -- providing gulls with a limitless source of food.
Changes in fishing methods also tempted the birds inland.
Local authorities have tried a variety of methods to get rid of them, including plastic owls, scary noises and waving ribbons.
Aberdeen City Council's Kevin Stewart even suggested the birds should be given contraceptives.
But their numbers are still on the increase.
There are four stages to a gull attack. First you get a warning shriek, then a swoop and after that, humiliatingly, they defecate over their victim.
Finally, they will fly at you from behind and slash at your head with their claws.
Experts advise pedestrians to carry a hat on a stick when approaching gull territory -- because the birds go for the tallest target.
http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/2004/07...ld/world03.asp