Dublin People - Gull dive-bomb attack injures day-trippers

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Gull dive-bomb attack injures day-trippers

Thursday, 12 June 2008

A SEAGULL attack left two people suffering from head and facial injuries over the June Bank Holiday Monday (June 2).
The attack occurred when Michaela Soucova (30), from Slovakia, and her friend, Jason Goodger, visited Ireland’s Eye, one mile from Howth Harbour, on a day trip.
The couple, who unwittingly disturbed nesting seagulls on the island, were attacked about the head as a result.
Ms Soucova’s head was covered in blood. After she was ferried back to Howth Harbour she received treatment in Beaumont Hospital for her injuries.
Ireland Eye is one of several breeding sites for gulls around the coast of Dublin and colonies of Great Black Backed Gulls and Herring Gulls breed on the uninhabited island.
Niall Hatch, a spokesperson for Birdwatch Ireland, said the gulls would dive-bomb any people who came near their nests, especially if chicks were present.
“It’s a natural, instinctive reaction on the part of the gulls,” Mr Hatch told Northside People.
“The Great Black Backed Gulls and Herring Gulls nest on open ground on the island and it’s easy to come upon their chicks.
“However, the Great Black Backed Gulls especially will attack if disturbed and they think their young are in danger.”
Following the incident on Ireland’s Eye a well-known pest control company issued a statement predicting that many towns and cities will experience noise and physical attacks from the gull population over the next few months as breeding season is upon us.
The statement added that the gull population in Ireland is on the increase and a professional pest controller can only deal with a serious gull infestation.
However, Mr Hatch claimed that the gull population in Ireland has actually decreased dramatically in recent years.
“The decrease in population is due to several factors, among them the occurrence of avian botulism, which can breed in black plastic rubbish bags, and the fact there are fewer natural nesting sites available to the birds,” said Mr Hatch.
Mr Hatch also said any person attempting to control an infestation of gulls needed a special licence issued by the Wildlife Service.
“It is illegal to disturb a gull’s nest if it contains eggs or chicks,” he added.
“Any person who requires more information about gulls and their breeding patterns can contact us at Birdwatch Ireland and we will be happy to assist them.”
The majority of the gull population found around Dublin comprises Great Black Back Gulls, Herring Gulls and Kittiwake Gulls.
The birds tend to breed on small offshore islands around the coast of Dublin such as Ireland’s Eye, Lambay Island, Dalkey Island and small islands off the coast of Skerries.
Birdwatch Ireland can be contacted on 2810997 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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