Scavenging Seagulls Cause Concern in Jersey and Guernsey, Cafés Take Action

Warnings have been issued in both Jersey and Guernsey regarding the increasing presence of scavenging gulls, with some local businesses taking proactive measures to protect their customers. At a café in St Helier, staff have placed a warning sign next to the till, cautioning patrons about the notorious "Steve the seagull," known for his daring swoops on unsuspecting diners. This problem has escalated to the point where some café-goers have reported feeling "nervous" and "afraid" of the aggressive seabirds. In Jersey, where stringent regulations prohibit feeding wild birds, violators can face hefty fines of up to £1,000. Diana Troy, leaseholder of La Frégate Café, acknowledges that while these penalties, introduced in 2019, act as a "good deterrent," enforcing them remains a challenge. "We have notices everywhere saying please don't leave your things outside unattended, especially food, but these days they just dive-bomb anyway," she lamented. The rise in gull activity is particularly pronounced during the summer nesting season when these birds are busy rearing their chicks. Residents are urged to dispose of their rubbish responsibly to mitigate the risk of attracting the birds, which can pose health risks due to their droppings. The Parish of St Saviours has echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the noise generated by the gulls can become a nuisance in residential areas. They emphasized that feeding the birds or leaving out easily accessible rubbish only exacerbates the issue. Conservationists in the UK have pointed to habitat destruction as a driving force behind the gulls’ migration to urban areas, where they find ample food sources. Both Jersey and Guernsey have designated these birds as a protected species, making it a criminal offense to disturb breeding gulls or their nests. As such, the relationship between humans and gulls remains a contentious issue, with local communities grappling with how to coexist with these increasingly bold scavengers. As the summer progresses, the presence of gulls is expected to remain a topic of concern for both islanders and visitors, prompting calls for greater awareness and responsible behavior to ensure the safety and comfort of all.