Experts said the hot weather has led to an increased amount of discarded booze on beaches and in parks which is being guzzled by gulls, making them more aggressive – and binmen are baring the brunt
Sozzled scumbag seagulls are attacking binmen after lapping up leftover booze during the hot weather.
Brits have been flocking to beaches, beer gardens and parks for picnics during one of the hottest summers on records.
But experts say opportunistic gulls are pinching pints and guzzling glasses of wine from discarded bottles across the UK.
And rowdy winged menaces “smelling of alcohol” are launching drunken attacks on refuge workers clearing up the mess from litter louts.
Mark Hall, waste collection expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, said: “Drunk seagulls may sound comical, the sight of a gull stumbling around, but alcohol consumption can make the birds more aggressive.
“Our waste collectors are regularly attacked by seagulls when collecting bins, with many noting the birds diving and swooping on them.
“However, it’s even worse when the birds are visibly intoxicated, often even smelling of alcohol.
“It’s no surprise this happens during the summer months, as people head out to enjoy a drink in the sun.
“Unfortunately, many of these will litter half-drunk bottles and cans of alcohol without much consideration for the environment or local wildlife. “Seagulls are scavenger birds that happily find their food or drink from any opportunistic source.
“This results in birds scavenging leftover food and drink, often coming across discarded alcohol.”
The RSPCA said discarded alcohol could be fatal to gulls and urged sunseekers to dispose of any alcoholic drinks in public spaces.
A spokesperson said: “Litter can be very dangerous to wildlife so carefully disposing of discarded alcohol cans and bottles can help keep wildlife like gulls safe.
“Alcohol in particular can cause animals to become disorientated and unsteady, and can lead to vomiting and in some cases even death.”
Mark added: “Secure any leftover drinks if possible and discard them properly. If bins are overflowing, speak to a member of staff where you purchased your drink and ask them to dispose of it for you. Never litter.”
Bird boffins have also warned people to be on the lookout for “drunk” seagulls due to swarming ant season.
Gulls munch the bugs, which have a toxin inside them that makes seagulls groggy and sparks a surge in birds staggering into roads to be run over.
Ant swarms have been reported in the South, Wales, North-West and Scotland this week.
Ecologist Dr Rebecca Nesbit has said: “Some of the odd behaviour we see from gulls could be as a result of eating ants – it could leave the gulls slightly drunk due to the formic acid.”
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