WEST Somerset residents, and visitors, particularly in areas near the coast, were warned this week that seagulls are on the rampage – and likely to become noisier, greedier and cause more damage than at any other time of year.

The warning, from Somerset West and Taunton Council, comes at the start of the breeding and hatching season when gulls are particularly active, and will target any available food, from a discarded sandwich on the beach to the contents of rubbish bags. And visitors are especially asked not to feed them.

A council spokesman said: “The life expectancy for gulls can be up to 20 years. They are a protected species, which means the council is limited in its ability to control them and needs the support of residents to help tackle the problem”.

Cllr Andy Sully, executive member for environmental services, said: “Many people find gulls to be a nuisance for several reasons – noise, mess, damage to properties, nests which block guttering and birds dive-bombing and swooping on animals and people. But the main problem is food waste being scavenged. 

“Gulls go looking for food waste in any bags left unattended. At this time of year we see an increase in the number of seagulls ripping open rubbish bags and spreading it far and wide, so we all need to make sure we are doing everything we can to prevent this.

“Gulls are aggressive feeders and will steal food from other species and humans, so be aware that they may just be nearby.

“They will also be attracted to food waste dropped in streets and open spaces – half-eaten sandwiches, for example – so please use the litter bins provided or take your waste home.”

The council spokesman added: “A few residents, those in flats, for example, may not have food bins. In that case, the best solution is to double-bag food or food packaging, and put waste out as late as possible on collection day rather than leaving it out early and vulnerable to attack by gulls.”

Further information can be found on the website: Seagulls (somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk)