Massive Seagull Flocks Drawn by Man’s Excessive Feeding Sparks Council Action in Clevedon

A man’s habit of feeding large amounts of bread to seagulls at Clevedon beach has led to enormous gatherings of birds, causing concern among local authorities. North Somerset Council is now considering implementing a new public space protection order aimed at curbing what they deem ‘excessive’ feeding of wildlife.

The situation was described vividly by Michael Pryke, the local Conservative councillor for Clevedon Walton. Comparing the scene to Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic film The Birds, Pryke remarked, “If you’ve never been to Clevedon, it is a fairly spectacular sight to see a hundred seagulls and a man just chuck bread into the air.”

To address the issue, the council proposes erecting signage at the beach warning against bird feeding. However, Pryke expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of signs alone. Council officers echoed this sentiment but acknowledged that signage would facilitate swifter enforcement actions, allowing fines to be issued without lengthy court procedures.

The council cabinet, in a meeting held on June 17, agreed to develop public space protection orders, which will later be subject to approval by the full council. While the meeting did not explicitly mention bird feeding, the new orders aim to manage local nuisances, building on last year’s ban on walking more than six dogs simultaneously — a rule that faced criticism from some residents.

This is not the first time feeding birds in Clevedon has resulted in legal consequences. Two years ago, a local resident was fined £600 for breaching a community protection order by feeding seagulls. Previously, in 2020, the same individual served a prison sentence in Bristol for violating an injunction that prohibited feeding pigeons on a balcony.

As Clevedon grapples with these wildlife-related challenges, the council seeks to balance public enjoyment of the beach with responsible behavior to protect the environment and community wellbeing.