Seagulls 'no more aggressive than normal'

Seagulls are no more aggressive than normal, according to Birdwatch Ireland.

It follows reports of the birds injuring people, stealing food from children and attacking lambs.

There have been a number of changes to their food sources in recent years, including the operation of rubbish dumps, once a rich food supply for the gulls.

Dr Stephen Newton of Birdwatch Ireland says its only a small minority that will actively try to take food from humans.

"It's only a small minority that are brave enough to grab food out of a person's hand," he said.

"I know from my own experience that a lot of them will certainly watch you if you're eating a sandwich or whatever, and they're hoping, like a pet dog or whatever, that you're going to throw them a crust or something off the plate.

"But one or two of them say: 'Why wait?' and just jump up there on the park bench."