They rip open trashbags and make a mess. They pollute neighbourhoods, attract vermin and keep many people awake with their screeching. City gulls are a famous, but unpopular newcomer in cities around the Netherlands. Municipalities intervene and gather eggs and people try to chase away the gulls with kites on their roof. Also biologists monitor the birds to search for options to better integrate these winged newcomers in the cities. While nuisance is tried to be reduced the reason is often underexposed. We destroy breeding grounds, fish in the seas and dump our food on the streets and serve a luxurious diner for the gulls. Can we blame them coming into cities or do we need to look at our behaviour?
