Sea gull issues

[Rob Millard]

I know Sea gulls have come in for a lot of bad press recently, and I'm all about 'live and let live', but they really are grinding my gears lately. They've taken a particular shine to my boat this year, and they're perching on it and sh*ting all over it on it's mooring. When I'm out fishing, they take the opportunity to poo all over my tender. It's becoming a real pain. Does anyone have any ideas? I've seen plastic owls and the like, being used as deterrents. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[jonnymed1c]

Friend of mine has a boat we were out on it yesterday, he was showing me a device he has fitted which emits a tone the gulls dont like and they stay away, few gulls started to follow us inshore and they got within about 20ft of boat and must have heard the tone and turned sharply and flew off. It works all the time so their not sitting on boat when its moored up either.

[Rob Millard]

Sounds like just the thing I need. Could you ask your mate what it is and where he got it?

[ShaneH]

http://www.sandsmarineonline.co.uk/scar ... 0466-p.asp

[ninted]

Ok I know it's not exactly what you're looking for, but it is relevant to the topic: if you have a lot of gulls near your boat when you're out fishing and they are becoming a pest, then you need to become... The dominant bird. This means that you flap your arms and square like a seagull, in the general direction of the gulls. It works every time (I got it from 'wicked tuna') and will keep them away for a while when you can do it again or sometimes they just go away altogether.

It's also most impressive to your passengers when they think your full of bs and then you make the gulls vanish!

I'll guard your boat for €55 per hour , Rob! Round the clock! ))

[Rob Millard]

Thanks ninted. I don't doubt that you would provide a stellar service, but until I win the lotto, your rates are beyond my means.

[HoleDigger]

The old fashioned way was to put a cat or sheepdog on board with some water and a litter tray. You wouldn't need to feed it as it would eat the birds and as a side effect you wouldn't have any rats either and keeps your boat safe from intruders.

However, feel fry to try any of the more modern deterrents suggested here: http://www.birdbusters.com/pigeon_contr ... boats.html
or
http://pestkill.org/birds/seagulls/
Good luck!

[DimitriPayet]

I've heard domestic pets are sometimes killed by gulls. Any cat is vulnerable to attack from above by this apex predator.

[kieran]

you can buy a kite shaped like a hawk that you attach to any structure as a bird scarer. any decent wind its up and moving around. No electrics. Worth a try?

[JOHN1]

You will get a plastic owl from the Chinese shop beside the chipper beside you. If he disent have one in he will get one for you about 15 or 20 euro has to be worth a try. Wouldn't fancy getting botulism or some othwr disease from the shite they are leaving around! A lot to be said for keeping your boat on a trailer.

[Rob Millard]

My friends in Donegal have a plastic owl on 'Misty Dawn', it seems to work. I have my boat festooned with ropes hanging from the pulpit rail, across to a landing net, a deck brush and a boat hook all sticking out of rod holders, it keeps them away.