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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

Why are gulls at the seaside so annoying while those in town are well behaved?

Be nice, like your townie cousins ... gulls squabble over discarded food on the beach at St Ives, Cornwall.
Be nice, like your townie cousins ... gulls squabble over discarded food on the beach at St Ives, Cornwall. Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Why is it that when I am at the seaside I see the gulls screaming and diving at tourists, stealing chips and so on, but when they graze in the park behind my house in Tottenham, they are silent, and model citizens? Are the townies a different species, or are they the same ones on their best behaviour?

Francis Blake, London N17

• Post your answers – and new questions – below or email them to nq@theguardian.com. Please include name, address and phone number.

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