The full story
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This archived article reflects on how gulls shifted from a familiar part of seaside life to a source of tension in many coastal towns.
It frames the issue as partly about human behaviour, especially food waste and easy feeding opportunities.
Why gulls behave the way they do
Gulls are intelligent, opportunistic birds, and they have simply learned that seaside towns are an easy source of food. Much of the conflict we blame on the birds actually traces back to us: dropped chips, open bins and well-meaning feeding all teach gulls to associate people with an easy meal.
A calmer way to coexist
The kindest and calmest approach is to give them less reason to bother. Do not feed gulls, eat with your back to a wall or under cover, keep food out of sight, and use the bins and lids provided. Herring gulls are actually a species of conservation concern, so a little understanding goes a long way.