New track deters seagulls

Exeter University expert helps compose music

 An Exeter University expert in urban herring gulls (and indeed such experts do exist) has helped compose a song to stop seagulls stealing food.

The trauma suffered regularly by people in Devon as they see their pasties and ice-creams swooped from their grasp by the greedy birds, which lack social skills and table manners, could be spared if they play the 'seagull repellent track.' 

More than 50 per cent of people have experience such al-fresco dining attacks.

Gulls are what is known as "kleptoparasites" meaning they take food from each other and from other species. Gulls are unusual in that they take food from humans too, as this is unlike other birds – making them the perfect threat to your lovely beach picnic!

Now a track called ‘Bye Gull Bye has been written with the help Dr Madeleine Goumas from Exeter University.

It's part of a PR wheeze by Deliveroo and it includes hawk and falcon calls, noises seagulls will certainly steer clear of.

Dr Madeleine Goumas is a postdoctoral researcher working on herring gull behaviour and cognition in environments where they interact with humans.

She said: “This is a great initiative to help the public enjoy their summer holidays without the threat of unwanted birds, all whilst not being harmful to them. I partnered with Deliveroo to ensure the track was no harm to the seagulls and to use gull calls to ensure it is effective. Research supports the use of gull alarm calls for deterring gulls.

"This is the sound gulls make when they spot a predator, and it tells other gulls to keep away. We hope this track will allow people to eat their food in peace.”
 
The sounds which can be heard throughout the audio track, which are known to safely deter gulls are:
●          Falcon calls
●          Hawk calls
●          Herring gull alarm distress calls
●          Alarm sounds
●          Lesser black-backed gull alarm calls
●          Bald eagle cries

Listen to the track here:  : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp1ZFgVQ92c