A WOMAN from Rhyl has warned of “aggressive seagulls” by the town’s library after one of the birds attacked her and caused her head to bleed.
Sue Holdsworth was attacked by a gull at about 1.30pm on Thursday (June 23), while the RPSCA later arrived at roughly 4pm to rescue another seagull which had fallen down a drainpipe.
She also said she reported the matter to Denbighshire County Council (DCC)
Sue said: “There was a baby on the floor which I did not see, until I felt the parent attack me, leaving my head bleeding.
“This is (in) the walkway between Rhyl Library and Gamlins' building, between Church Street and Bath Street in Rhyl.
“I have reported this to the Environmental Health department of DCC.
“The chick I am concerned about is still on the floor and the parents are still attacking people who go near it - they have just nearly got me again when I was walking through Morfa Hall car park - nowhere near the chick.
“I just want people to be aware and to stay away.”
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The RSPCA confirmed that they rescued two chicks which fallen into a drainpipe on Bath Street.
The organisation also offered guidance about nesting gulls and contacted the property owner about the incident.
A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “Two gull chicks that had fallen into a drainpipe on the WCVA (Wales Council for Voluntary Action) building on Bath Street, Rhyl, were rescued by one of our inspectors after we were called to the area to assist.
“The babies had managed to get into a hole beneath the lead flashings, but thankfully were just a little too big to fall all the way down the pipe.
“Our inspector covered the hole and reunited the chicks with three others - who were in a nest on the balcony of the building - with their mum close by.
“Our inspector gave guidance about nesting gulls to people in the area and we have also contacted the property owner about the incident.”
The RSPCA also shared the following advice about seagulls:
• Gulls that swoop suddenly on people or pets are usually trying to protect chicks that have fallen out of or left the nest.
• They'll stop when the person or animal has moved away from their young.
• This behaviour usually only lasts for a few weeks until the chicks have fledged and are able to protect themselves.
• The best thing to do is keep your distance from any gull nests, or chicks that you see on the ground - if you can't avoid walking close to them, then holding an open umbrella above your head will help deter the parents from swooping.
A spokesperson for DCC added that the authority is considering ways to tackle this issue following numerous reports, but admitted that options are limited as they are a “protected species”.
The DCC spokesperson said: “Seagulls are a common cause of complaint for the council and are seen by some as nuisance in our coastal communities.
“There have been reports of seagulls causing some injuries to individuals as they try and find food.
"Whilst the number of incidents is low, they can be very distressing. We would encourage residents to take care and be aware of seagulls while eating outside.
“We are looking at a number of ways to tackle the issue including encouraging residents not to feed seagulls, as well as working with food providers to reduce food waste and ensure any food waste bins are covered adequately."
"There are limited options to the council as they are a protected species and we need the public’s support.
"I would ask residents to take note of the message and not to feed seagulls.”
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