Wednesday, July 03, 2013

WHAT ADULT BIRDS DO.

I got comprehensively shat upon today by, not one, not two, but, three seagulls.  I had ambled around a harbour and decided to explore an offshoot of it, since, I found the route I was on blocked off to a circular walk.

There was very loud angry squawking overhead.  I heard a 'whoosh'.   Instinctively, I jerked my head, just in time, out of the direct line of shit travel.  There were a few plumps and I found myself  well and truly spattered, (dark blouse, trousers and coat) with the white stuff.  I looked up to see very angry birds attempting to mob me. It was the cue for swift decisive action.  I turned and quickly retraced my steps.  I shot one last glance over  my shoulder and saw several young seagulls at the far end of the path I had been on.  There was no doubt about it, I just experienced an aggressive example of what adult birds do, to protect their young.




12 comments:

David Oliver said...

An up close and personal encounter with nature - I like this story so much! Only wish I could have been there to witness it but of course I would have laughed and you would have gotten mad at me. And justifiably so!

The photo made it all even more real - good job with that!

ZACL said...

Hi David,

A few fishermen I passed were so busy with their boats and preparations for either going off or typing up, they barely noticed my interesting presentation. I am hoping I don't get 'bleach' marks over my clothes. I did try to reduce the damage asap.

The photo- I cannot lay claim to that one, my pictures of seagulls are much more 'cute'. I felt the picture demonstrated exactly what I saw. Glad you like it.

Anonymous said...

I've read about how aggressive seagulls can be when they have young. They are the robber barons of the bird world. An unpleasant experience - I hope your clothes washed off OK.

ZACL said...

I've yet to see, Gillyk, how effective a wash will be. I have another wash to put on the line to blow in a near gale.

It was anthropologically interesting, however, bird baby protection was scary event. Not one I wish to repeat too quickly.

Anonymous said...

My sympathies, one seagull is bad enough but three...! Flighty xx

Snowbird said...

Hahahahaha....sorry, I simply couldn't help it!!!!

Oh my, tell me about gulls,especially herring gulls. We have lots at the rescue and I kid you not, they are the most vicious creatures I've ever come across! We have to wear gloves when dealing with them, even the chicks, but they still manage to cut through the cloth. And the mess they make is unbelievable!!! I do love them though, I like a bit of attitude!!!xxxx

ZACL said...

Hi Mr F. I am glad of your sentiments. By the look of it, a few adult birds hatched quite a number of eggs successfully. xxx

ZACL said...

A 'bit' of attitude, Snowbird, I think herring Gulls are over-endowed with it. Bonxies are pretty aggressive opponents as well.

xxx

Vincent said...

They say it means good luck, ZACL. A triple dose much be on the way.

ZACL said...

Hi Vincent,

Nice one! I look forward to the positive side of it, (lady luck's smiles) now that I have got over the requirement to clean my clothes.

Anonymous said...

Sorry you had that experience, but it shows how all living beings use whatever they have at hand to protect what little they have. I love those birds… and watching them soar through the air. But I imagine that such an experience would take some of the romance out of it.

ZACL said...

Hello Shimon,

Thanks for your very humorous and pertinent comment. I could never say, I love those particular birds, or Skuas for that matter. I do find them and others of the wingéd and feathered species fascinating to watch.