Related Articles
Postmen in a Scottish seaside town have told locals they are unable to deliver their mail as they continue to be attacked by swooping seagulls.
Royal Mail staff in Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway have been plagued by birds swooping on them while trying to make their deliveries on a road.
5
5
5
The gulls attacked to protect their young in a nearby nest.
Videos captured around the city show one of the birds swooping down on a local, closing in on their position before flying back into the air and screeching aggressively.
Attacks have been so frequent that Royal Mail bosses have written to residents of the area informing them of the problem.
Locals in the city’s Broomfield Gardens have been told workers will be out each day but their mail may not be delivered due to the bird attacks.
A letter seen by The Scottish Sun reads: “As you may know we are currently having some difficulties in making safe deliveries to you and your neighbors due to seagulls swooping down on delivery staff in the area to protect their young.”
“The purpose of this letter is to update you on the issues we are facing but also to reassure you that we will continue to attempt deliveries every day.
“If we are unable to deliver to you safely one day, your mail will be returned to the office where it will be held securely until we can attempt delivery again the next day.”
The letter also states that residents can choose to have their mail held at the office for them to collect, or to choose a different address for their mail to be delivered.
Gulls lay their eggs in April, which hatch in early summer and start flying after 30 days.
Gulls are known to be fiercely protective of their young and other birds in their colony.
They dive-bomb anyone they feel threatened by when they approach a nest containing eggs or hatchlings.
The SSPCA has said people should stay away from areas where seagulls nest, if possible.
They said that if anyone is in a nesting area, they should wear a hat or an umbrella to protect themselves from bird attacks.
Locals have been assured that the birds will move on once they have finished nesting.
Mike Flynn, Chief Superintendent of Scotland’s SPCA, said: “Gulls sometimes come down to steal food from people and in some cases they attack people when they are protecting their young or their nests.”
“All gull species are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which prevents anyone from injuring or killing them and damaging or destroying an active nest.
“Our advice is to try and stay away from the area that the gulls appear to be defending when they are most active.
“You can also use an open umbrella as a deterrent when leaving your property if the seagulls are nesting near your home. Once the nesting season is over, the gulls move on.”
“However, if the birds pose a risk to public safety or public health, you should contact your local authority, as they can decide on a case-by-case basis whether the gulls need to be removed.”
“For more information, please read the notices on our website.”
The Royal Mail has been contacted for comment.
5
5
We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scoop@thesun.co.uk or call 0141 420 5200
Source link
