Pensioner dies after attack by upset 'dive-bombing' seagulls

A pensioner collapsed and died after being attacked by seagulls while cleaning bird droppings from his garage roof.

Wilfred Roby, 80, is believed to have upset the nesting gulls, which flew at the retired ambulance driver, forcing him to retreat back down his ladder.

Shortly afterwards, while working in the front garden of his home in Benllech, Anglesey, he suffered a suspected heart attack and died later in hospital.

Brian Sowter, a neighbour, said: "I saw him in the garden and he was very worked up. He had the ladder up and he was complaining about the mess the birds had made.

"I told him to calm down and leave the birds alone. He went to cut the grass in the garden and the next thing I knew I saw neighbours running towards the house and Wilf was on the ground.

"While we were there the gulls were still coming down and screeching and attacking us."

A spokesman for Anglesey County Council confirmed there was a problem with "dive- bombing" gulls in the area and said complaints were on the increase, particularly about damage to roofs and blocked gutters.

He warned the public not to try to remove nests from their property because seagulls would be aggressive. "The removal of a nest from private property is a matter for the homeowner but we would not advise anyone to attempt this as adult birds will aggressively protect their young.

"Expert contractors would be needed to carry out a task of this nature."

The numbers of black-backed and herring gulls have risen sharply in Britain in the past century and the birds are largely dependent on domestic refuse for food. Eggs are laid in April and May and take about a month to hatch, meaning many gulls will have a clutch of chicks at present.

An RSPB spokesman said: "The death of Wilfred Roby is a very sad and tragic event. But it's a natural reaction for the gulls to protect themselves and their nesting site.

"Obviously Mr Roby would not want to have a nest of gulls living on his doorstep and attempted to tackle what he saw as a problem.

"Effectively, it comes down to local councils to take measures to discourage these birds from nesting in residential areas. They are attracted to sources of food and nesting sites.

"Local authorities could take action, such as covering rubbish and offering a service by putting wires across flat roofs."