General Discussion

BBC Spotlight says this year's early brood had seven cygnets, now reduced to five by gulls.

I mentioned that nearly a week ago.

https://dawlish.com/thread/details/48363

Sorry carer, must have missed it somehow.

All the more reason for some sort of cull on the huge seagull population in dawlish

Well, 1263, I don't agree, but, even if I did, then it would be (1) illegal; (2) impossible or ineffective.

How do you know that it would be impossible or ineffective? Councils have powers to control seagull populations by egg painting  during the mating season thereby reducing the numbers. Would mutch rather see more cygnets surviving  to adulthood than worrying about the loss of some seagulls

Up until they were protected (around the mid-70s) it was perfectly possible to control the Gull population.

Local people (generally several generations of the same families) would climb the cliffs (especially at Coryton Cove) using long ladders, which were kept on the beach, and collect the eggs which were then sold in local butchers shops.

Granted, a young chap I knew broke his neck falling off one (survived) but it did keep down the Gull population. 

Thanks Huw, interesting.