Gung-ho gulls gather momentum

GULLS, the entrepreneurs of the bird world, start new businesses whenever opportunities arise.

Town dumps, for example, were once the preserve of red kites. When the kites were driven out, scavenging ‘seagulls’ moved in. Then they headed into the countryside to follow the plough, scooping up worms and creepy crawlies from the overturned soil. Such gung-ho behaviour paid off; there are more gulls alive today than there ever were.

Fifty years ago, gulls began their most audacious project yet; nesting on roofs and chimneys in towns and cities. Their business plan listed the advantages. Humans, it declared, are dirty animals which leave discarded food wastes lying about — rich pickings for scavengers.