If you live or have ever visited Merseyside then you'll be all too familiar with the region's seagulls.
The birds have been up to their usual tricks over summer, from stealing food out of people's hands to threatening walkers and injuring them in some cases.
Some have moaned about "swarms" of seagulls " squawking at five in the morning and all day " and there's always the risk of finding droppings on your car or, even worse, your head.
READ MORE: Seagulls that sound like 'herd of elephants' are 'laughing' at people in Liverpool
Last week, a couple enjoying a "romantic" McDonald's mea l were left shocked when they realised they had an audience.
Darren Rodwell visited the McDonald's restaurant at Ocean Plaza in Southport with his fiancée on Friday morning but, before they could tuck into their food, a seagull perched on the car and "stared" at them.
There are some though, that seem to enjoy their company and even teach them new tricks.
Wayne Scholes went viral on TikTok after teaching the neighbourhood seagull who lives on his balcony to bark like a dog.
But, normally, it's fair to say gulls don't get the best press and, for many, are one of the few downsides of living close to the sea.
Sadly, for those that are "terrified" of the swooping gulls, it doesn't seem like the problem will get any better anytime soon.
In fact, one tweet about seagulls that went viral this week left many people even more unnerved than they were before.
One user posted: "Super freaked out by seagulls since I learned they can live into their thirties. Looking at every seagull like I wonder if they remember the 90s."
Some people reacted in horror and surprise to the fact that there are seagulls walking around Liverpool older than many of its residents.
However, it is due to their long lives that allows the birds to thrive in cities as they build up an extensive memory of where and how to find food.
Peter Rock, a leading urban gull expert in Bristol, said that "a wise gull knows everything about food within its home range".
The lifespan of a seagull is affected by several factors, such as the availability of food and protection from predators as well as extreme weather.
So, it seems only natural that seagulls living in cities such as Liverpool have long lifespans as they can take full advantage of the spare food on offer.
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