Children in Eyemouth suffered deep gashes and “blood dripping down their faces” after a series of attacks by seagulls over one month.
Scottish Borders council members recently discussed the issue, revealing that herring gulls had been aggressively swarming the coastal town. Local councillor James Anderson described the gulls as “out of control” and highlighted the bloody injuries inflicted on children.
The herring gulls, which can grow as large as small children and have metre-long wingspans, prompted Mr Anderson to propose a motion to assess the bird population and its impact on the town. He urged local authorities to take action, noting that children had sustained “gashes to the scalp and blood running down their wee faces”.
The BBC reported that one local business in Eyemouth, a town with just over 3,000 residents, had witnessed “multiple gull-strike victims”. Mr Anderson stated, “Eyemouth has seen multiple gull-strike victims – one local business saw seven children attacked in one month, leaving them with gashes to the scalp and blood running down their wee faces.”
He emphasised the importance of collaboration on this issue, saying, “That’s why I’ve brought this motion. It’s crucial that all parties involved come together.” While advocating for a survey to determine the “true population” of local gulls, he stressed he did not wish to “demonise” the birds, acknowledging their role in coastal life.
He continued, “We don’t demonise the herring gull; they are part of coastal life, striving to live and thrive like all of us. However, we must balance the protection of wildlife with the welfare and safety of our community. Over-population leads to starving and unhealthy birds, making them prone to disease and hardship.”
Mr Anderson concluded by urging for measures that balance environmental stewardship and community well-being. Seagulls have long been a troublesome presence in UK coastal towns. Photographer Tom McAsey described a “seagull epidemic” in Port Isaac, Cornwall, where he observed the birds stealing tourists’ ice creams and pasties.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Daily Record reports on children attacked by out-of-control herring gulls in Eyemouth, leaving some with blood running down their faces. (read more)
- BBC reports on the UK Covid inquiry, highlighting failures in pandemic planning, with findings that the UK government “failed its citizens” due to flawed strategies. (read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened in Eyemouth with the seagulls?
Children were attacked by seagulls, leaving them with deep gashes and blood on their faces.
How big are the attacking seagulls?
The herring gulls can grow to the size of a small child with metre-long wingspans.
What measures are being proposed to handle the seagull attacks?
Councillor Anderson proposed investigating the birds’ numbers and their impact on the town.
How many children were attacked in one month at a local business?
Seven children were attacked, suffering gashes and blood on their faces.
Why don’t they want to demonize the seagulls?
The councillor emphasized the need to balance environmental stewardship and community well-being.