This, to my mind, is one of the pressing philosophical questions of our time. So as to avoid leaving anyone behind on this topic, I’ll bring this news to your attention: seagulls and pigeons aren’t fucking around anymore. If you’ve ever had a meal outdoors in the UK you’d be well aware of this looming, lurking threat. At this point they have it down to an expertly co-ordinated chip-snatching ballet. In a recent moment of peak Britishness as a seagull dived down to steal my chicken bake pasty right out of its bag (whilst I was eating it!), something dawned on me: it’s all our fault.
Aug 12, 2022·edited Aug 12, 2022Liked by Nathan Glass
Hi mr Nathan :)
Let me start of by confessing that I my self am one of the people who brings this onto humanity by beeing a bird feeder. Not with some borning birdhouse seeing that my cat and dogs would see this as free entertainment and buffet. I walk around town (if I happen to be there) sharing my meal with them. Its not so bad here with the birds because its restricted by law in many places to feed them, I still do anyway - Marry Poppins B)
I was in London once and was super happy and suprised when a gull sat on my hand and ate my hotdog though untill moments ago I wasn't aware of the Hitchcockarian nightmare younare having in Great Britain.
Maybe if people where kind about it, about showing them away, or as you said nudging them aside, I think that would help alot :)
Im just a little conflicted due to seeing so many people trying to kick pigeons forcefully and even going littoraly out of their way to do so. I hope people remember that the birds are just doing what they know and can to survive so that they go gentle about it. A lot of people jump from one extreme to another and forget the inbetween.
I guess all im saying is i think you're right and that it would help the way you suggested - Mahatma Gandhi style :D and if not, tackling them should do the trick XD
My first thought though was how we could use this to create a bond simular to our relationship with dogs :D the possibilities are super exciting and fun :D like baskets that fly not with a hot air balloon but birds or for search rescues at coasts :)
Edit: some embarrassing gramatical and spelling errors
I can't believe you didn't give the baby gull a name! That said, birds are filthy. I would never think about nudging one. In all seriousness though, thanks for the thoughtful post. I really enjoy reading these musings when I need a brain break from work.
Birds: Now we’re infested with two-legged creatures who are shameless and fearless in equal measure... Maybe lunging at them more vigorously would work too 🦅
Hi. In this aspect, my stand is.... Animals are never wrong, never at fault, never the one to be nudged away or lunged at.
Recently there was news in Singapore, otters from nearby reserves ventured into a residential swimming pool for a swim and started to feed on the fishes in the pond.
My immediate thought was... humans build structures at our whims and fancies, we are obviously taking up way too much space...
I have another suggestion?
Perhaps prepare another portion of chicken baked pastry so that they can dine with you and not snatch yours away?
Oh wait, bad idea... I feel concerned that animals become too trusting of humans when not all humans can be entrusted with an animal's life.
Hi mr Nathan :)
Let me start of by confessing that I my self am one of the people who brings this onto humanity by beeing a bird feeder. Not with some borning birdhouse seeing that my cat and dogs would see this as free entertainment and buffet. I walk around town (if I happen to be there) sharing my meal with them. Its not so bad here with the birds because its restricted by law in many places to feed them, I still do anyway - Marry Poppins B)
I was in London once and was super happy and suprised when a gull sat on my hand and ate my hotdog though untill moments ago I wasn't aware of the Hitchcockarian nightmare younare having in Great Britain.
Maybe if people where kind about it, about showing them away, or as you said nudging them aside, I think that would help alot :)
Im just a little conflicted due to seeing so many people trying to kick pigeons forcefully and even going littoraly out of their way to do so. I hope people remember that the birds are just doing what they know and can to survive so that they go gentle about it. A lot of people jump from one extreme to another and forget the inbetween.
I guess all im saying is i think you're right and that it would help the way you suggested - Mahatma Gandhi style :D and if not, tackling them should do the trick XD
My first thought though was how we could use this to create a bond simular to our relationship with dogs :D the possibilities are super exciting and fun :D like baskets that fly not with a hot air balloon but birds or for search rescues at coasts :)
Edit: some embarrassing gramatical and spelling errors
Yours truely ;P
I can't believe you didn't give the baby gull a name! That said, birds are filthy. I would never think about nudging one. In all seriousness though, thanks for the thoughtful post. I really enjoy reading these musings when I need a brain break from work.
Birds: Now we’re infested with two-legged creatures who are shameless and fearless in equal measure... Maybe lunging at them more vigorously would work too 🦅
(I'm sorry about the loss of your chicken bake)
Hi. In this aspect, my stand is.... Animals are never wrong, never at fault, never the one to be nudged away or lunged at.
Recently there was news in Singapore, otters from nearby reserves ventured into a residential swimming pool for a swim and started to feed on the fishes in the pond.
My immediate thought was... humans build structures at our whims and fancies, we are obviously taking up way too much space...
I have another suggestion?
Perhaps prepare another portion of chicken baked pastry so that they can dine with you and not snatch yours away?
Oh wait, bad idea... I feel concerned that animals become too trusting of humans when not all humans can be entrusted with an animal's life.
tricky.
alright. nudging for now.
I know this is a very late comment but
in New Zealand we chase seaguls if we're feeling energetic. Lunging at them vigorously does work. Charging them, also....
'No moral problems about that.