Should the mass feeding of pigeons and gulls be banned right across Douglas?

We asked the public for their views on Douglas Council’s proposal to extend the current byelaw to stop people attracting gatherings of wildlife and vermin in public places when feeding them.

In last week’s Manx Independent we reported that the council insists home bird feeders won’t be affected, but Manx Wild Bird Aid isn’t convinced about this.

Debbie Gallagher, 52, from Port Erin, said: ’In the town centre, feeding of birds should be banned, but what people do in their own houses and properties should be left to them.’

A keen bird watcher herself, she feeds a variety of bird species in her garden and in the field behind her property.

She said: ’We want people at home to encourage birds into their garden, otherwise the birds that are used to being fed will die. I’m all in favour of preserving wildlife, but don’t think it’s right in the middle of town where the shops are.’

Della and Richard Caley, 59 and 57 respectively, think groups of pigeons and gulls in town can be a nuisance.

’How many buildings are covered in their poo? When you go to sit down on a bench, it’s covered in it,’ Richard said.

’The issue is people throwing out waste, which is attracting them. The birds wouldn’t be there if there wasn’t that food source.’

His wife said: ’I’m in favour, but they should give designated areas in Douglas where people can feed them.

’I can see why people think pigeons and gulls are a nuisance, but when I’m looking at the pigeons I think "God love them" with their deformed, little feet. I couldn’t see any of them being hurt.

’It’s men that’s driving these birds inland. Because of the fishing there’s nothing for them.’

Richard said: ’But they’re attacking men as well!’

’It’s a hard one which way you go. In London, they had swans that were starving because of a ban.’

From Kelly Young of Onchan, it’s a big ’no’ to people feeding pigeons and gulls.

The 25-year-old said she has been ’traumatised’ by gulls in the past which have stolen food from her, including doughnuts.

Her friend Heather Maddrell, 35, from Douglas, has never been a fan of the birds ever since a pigeon stole a sandwich from her hand when she was a child.

She thinks pigeons and gulls are basically ’flying rats’.

’People would be mortified if they were circled by rats,’ she said. ’I’ve got two children and I make sure they never feed them because they circle around you.’

Lesley Parkington said there is a particular gull in Peel which terrorises the townsfolk, called the ’Isle of Man Bank seagull’.

’I saw this woman with a baby in a pushchair. The child had a biscuit and the gull really was going for it. It could have easily caused damage,’ she said.

Her husband Jim added that they have had many a sausage roll and pasty taken from their hands by gulls.

She added: ’I don’t agree with people coming and feeding birds in towns. It creates a nuisance and it’s quite anti-social.’

Both are keen bird feeders at home, but said they make sure to stop if it attracts larger birds.