Seagulls happily join dinner tables in Liepāja

On the streets, in parks, and on outdoor terraces in Liepāja, attacks by herring gulls on people seeking food have become a daily occurrence. City residents admit that they cannot feel safe anywhere food is present. Laura: “There was one time when my little one and I were walking around; we’d bought something to eat – [a seagull] just snatched it right out of my hands. Yesterday I almost lost my hot dog, too, but I managed to hold on to it.” Linards: “There have been instances, we’ve seen it, where something’s left on a table, say, on a terrace, and a seagull takes it, steals it. For example, even at Pētertirgus Market, you’re not safe with a bun in your hands.” Laima: “In the café, these seagulls come swooping in, snatching things right out of your hands; they don’t understand the language – so we yell and shout at them, but they don’t get it. Their numbers have really grown. They’ve gotten used to it. People are eating, so why shouldn’t they eat too, right?" The battle with the birds is also affecting food service businesses. Café owners are forced to compensate for the meals stolen by birds and invest in locks for trash cans. “You can’t even go to the restroom, turn your head [..], because everything gets taken off the plate, and the patios, all the summer awnings, and so on get damaged, it’s crazy. Pork chops have been stolen, half a pizza has been carried off, and as a result, those are our expenses, because we have to serve the customer a new one,” said Jānis Riekstiņš, manager of the “Dzintara Boulings” café. Meanwhile, Madara Kandevica, marketing manager for the “Tiamo Group” restaurant and café chain, would welcome some involvement from the local government as well: “Every summer, there are several instances where birds steal food and scare away customers. So far, we haven’t considered asking for help from the local government or other agencies, but we would appreciate it if the city could find a way to get involved, whether by warning beachgoers about the birds or helping in some other way to scare away these uninvited guests—the seagulls.” Experts have pointed out that the root of the problem is the increase in the number of herring gulls, which is facilitated by the city’s geographical location. “It’s important to understand that these are not game birds – they must not be shot or hunted. It would also be advisable to post signs informing people that feeding birds is prohibited in certain areas, as well as signs warning that birds tend to snatch food from people’s hands. As for rooftops, there are various ways to deter birds from rooftops – special lasers, technical devices, sound deterrents, and various nets are used. “Unfortunately, however, these electronic deterrents sometimes work only for a short time, and the birds eventually return anyway,” explained ornithologist Arturs Bilerts. Wild birds and their nests are legally protected during the summer, so destroying them is not permitted, noted DAP expert Ričards Miķelsons. Experts pointed out that the effort to manage birds in the city must be a long-term one, and recommended deliberately not feeding them so as not to encourage gulls to become accustomed to easily obtainable food.