British drivers warned as 'drunk' seagulls causing chaos on UK roads
Seagulls in the UK are getting 'drunk' but it's not from drinking alcohol.
Rowdy 'drunk' seagulls are causing chaos after getting plastered by gobbling flying ants - as the tipsy birds fight each other and stagger into roads to be run over.
Gulls are tucking into the millions of ants suddenly swarming due to the 31C (88F) heatwave.
Toxins inside the ants make the birds groggy, triggering more aggressive bickering with each other and a rush of gull roadkill.
A East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “Some gulls are eating the many flying ants around and becoming disorientated due to the toxins ants carry.
“We're getting inundated with road casualty gulls. Please be careful.”
Brits reported gulls squabbling more with each other after munching ants.
An X user wrote: “Seagulls are drunk on flying ants and going so ape. People have been complaining to us at the council all day. As if we can reason with them!”
A user from Lincolnshire wrote: “There's an abundance of seagulls with lots of squabbling. I’m guessing they’re snacking on the little flying critters.”
Another said: “There are drunk seagulls on flying ant day in Sussex.”
Flying ant day, when swarms of the insects suddenly take off to create new colonies, has been happening in recent days in the South and Midlands, with the North set for the phenomenon in coming days, with another wave of 'drunk' gulls.
Ecologist Dr Rebecca Nesbit has said: “Some of the odd behaviour we see from gulls could be as a result of eating ants – it could leave the gulls slightly drunk.
“We know some ants produce formic acid, and it could be having an effect.”
RSPB gull expert Tony Whitehead has said: “Gulls are mad for ants when they emerge. They are little treats for them.
“Eating ants makes gulls very happy. They are distracted and focusing on eating ants rather than, for example, looking out for cars.”
