This is the moment a crafty seagull decided to grab a fish out of a puffin’s mouth on the Farne Islands National Nature Reserve off the Northumberland coast.
The paternal puffin had been returning from a flight over the North Sea with a beak full of sand eels for its newly-hatched chicks.
Seagulls also have a reputation in Britain for swooping down and stealing people's food, such as stealing a chip or a bit of fish from someone eating fish and chips at the seaside.
Prime Minister David Cameron has said a ‘big conversation’ is needed about how to deal with aggressive seagulls after a spate of attacks.
Incredible pictures show the moment a seagull steals a fish straight out of the mouth of a puffin in mid-air
By Mark Duell for MailOnline
30 July 2015
Daily Mail
They are known for targeting tourists to steal a snack, but it appears they’re also not afraid of stealing from puffins in mid-flight.
And this seagull decided to grab a fish out of a puffin’s mouth on the Farne Islands National Nature Reserve off the Northumberland coast.
The paternal puffin had been returning from a flight over the North Sea with a beak full of sand eels for its newly-hatched chicks.
But the bird, identified as the black-headed species of seagull, was caught stealing by learning disability service manager Bill Doherty.
He has been visiting the nature reserve for 13 years and said the number of seagulls on the island has risen sharply in recent years.
Mr Doherty, 60, from Ashington, Northumberland, added: ‘It looks like the puffins have to run the gauntlet every time they come back from hunting.’
Prime Minister David Cameron has said a ‘big conversation’ is needed about how to deal with aggressive seagulls after a spate of attacks.
Steal: A seagull decided to grab a fish out of a puffin’s mouth on the Farne Islands National Nature Reserve off the Northumberland coast
Theft: They are known for targeting tourists to steal a snack, but it appears they’re also happy to steal from puffins in mid-flight
Following: The paternal puffin had been returning from a flight over the North Sea with a beak full of sand eels for its newly-hatched chicks
Closer: The bird, identified as the black-headed species of seagull, was caught stealing by learning disability service manager Bill Doherty
Battleground: Mr Doherty has been visiting the nature reserve for 13 years and said the number of seagulls on the island has risen sharply
Attack: Mr Doherty, 60, from Ashington, said it 'looks like the puffins have to run the gauntlet every time they come back from hunting'
Spate of attacks: Prime Minister David Cameron has said a ‘big conversation’ is needed about how to deal with aggressive seagulls
Menace: Mr Doherty said the gulls 'wait for the puffins to come back with silver eels for their chicks' so they can take the food from them
Poor puffin: The gulls 'have one easy food source because the puffins are doing the hard work and doing it for them', Mr Doherty said
The paternal puffin had been returning from a flight over the North Sea with a beak full of sand eels for its newly-hatched chicks.
Seagulls also have a reputation in Britain for swooping down and stealing people's food, such as stealing a chip or a bit of fish from someone eating fish and chips at the seaside.
Prime Minister David Cameron has said a ‘big conversation’ is needed about how to deal with aggressive seagulls after a spate of attacks.
Incredible pictures show the moment a seagull steals a fish straight out of the mouth of a puffin in mid-air
By Mark Duell for MailOnline
30 July 2015
Daily Mail
They are known for targeting tourists to steal a snack, but it appears they’re also not afraid of stealing from puffins in mid-flight.
And this seagull decided to grab a fish out of a puffin’s mouth on the Farne Islands National Nature Reserve off the Northumberland coast.
The paternal puffin had been returning from a flight over the North Sea with a beak full of sand eels for its newly-hatched chicks.
But the bird, identified as the black-headed species of seagull, was caught stealing by learning disability service manager Bill Doherty.
He has been visiting the nature reserve for 13 years and said the number of seagulls on the island has risen sharply in recent years.
Mr Doherty, 60, from Ashington, Northumberland, added: ‘It looks like the puffins have to run the gauntlet every time they come back from hunting.’
Prime Minister David Cameron has said a ‘big conversation’ is needed about how to deal with aggressive seagulls after a spate of attacks.
Steal: A seagull decided to grab a fish out of a puffin’s mouth on the Farne Islands National Nature Reserve off the Northumberland coast
Theft: They are known for targeting tourists to steal a snack, but it appears they’re also happy to steal from puffins in mid-flight
Following: The paternal puffin had been returning from a flight over the North Sea with a beak full of sand eels for its newly-hatched chicks
Closer: The bird, identified as the black-headed species of seagull, was caught stealing by learning disability service manager Bill Doherty
Attack: Mr Doherty, 60, from Ashington, said it 'looks like the puffins have to run the gauntlet every time they come back from hunting'
Spate of attacks: Prime Minister David Cameron has said a ‘big conversation’ is needed about how to deal with aggressive seagulls
Menace: Mr Doherty said the gulls 'wait for the puffins to come back with silver eels for their chicks' so they can take the food from them
Poor puffin: The gulls 'have one easy food source because the puffins are doing the hard work and doing it for them', Mr Doherty said