Seagull warning due to breeding season and flying ants in the UK

Some of you have complained about being woken up early in the morning, while others have been divebombed.

We asked you if anyone has noticed seagulls being particularly vocal recently - especially in the early hours.

And more than 300 people replied, with one reader stating: "Yes I was woken up the other day at about 4.30am with squawking seagulls.

Seagulls have been louder than normal recently

"They are really land gulls/pests attracted by food rubbish from bins overspill or cafes."

Another said: "Ever day this week they have been sooo loud, what is going on?"

So, why are the seagulls causing so much havoc and noise at this time of year?

Experts say there are a couple of reasons why you are more likely to hear them at this time of year.

Firstly, it is breeding season for gulls between April and September when they return to their preferred nesting sites back home.

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Breeding pairs court in March, with nests starting to be built from April onwards.

Eggs are laid from April to May, with the first chicks hatching three to four weeks later at the beginning of June.

The new parents want to protect their offspring, which is why there are more reports of the birds divebombing potential threats at this time of the year.

Secondly, it has been reported that seagulls have been "getting drunk" after feasting on flying ants.

A flying ant, snapped during an appearance on an outer court at Wimbledon

The Met Office radar detected millions of bugs swarming over London earlier this month.

The insects have to emerged from their nests to mate, coinciding with summer heat.

Dr Rebecca Nesbit, an entomologist with the Society of Biology, told the Mirror that the ants produce formic acid which can “stupefy” the gulls.

She said the amount eaten could explain why gulls were not flying away from danger quickly.

SEE ALSO: 

• What are flying ants? How can I get rid of them?
• Thousands of insects spotted in UK amid hot weather

According to the RSPB, nesting gulls "pose a real risk to public health".

The charity says the most effective way of tackling the gull problem is to reduce the availability of food and reducing the attractiveness of nest sites.

They say it's up to local councils to ensure landfills sites are well-managed and streets are kept clean.