Seagulls are getting wasted by gorging themselves on flying ants. For once chips seem safe to eat at the seaside without scavengers swooping for a bite.
‘Flying Ant Day’ is unofficially named after the chunk of time thousands of ants leave their nests to mate and set up new colonies each year.
The annual exodus happens over a few days every summer, and as the ants fly off in huge groups, ever greedy seagulls binge on swarms of insects.
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However, the ants release a toxin which leaves seagulls disorientated and seemingly intoxicated, and vulnerable to injury.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service said it has received a number of road casualties involving seagulls because of ‘flying ant day’, reports The Argus.
A spokesman for the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service in Whitesmith, near Lewes, said on Thursday: “There are lots of flying ants around.
“Please be careful as some birds eat them and become disorientated due to the toxins ants carry.
“We are already getting inundated with road casualty gulls. Please be cautious.”
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
On X, Brits shared anecdotes of wasted gulls.
One user wrote: “An abundance of overhead seagulls – I’m guessing they’re snacking on little flying critters – lots of “chatter” and “squabbling”. Pleased to say we’ve successfully dodged all poo so far.”
Another quipped: “‘As sure as drunk seagulls on flying ant day.’ Anon, traditional, Sussex.”
A third 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 though we can reason with them.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Recent survey have showed winged ants appear over several weeks, although there are usually several large peaks. These usually happen after wet weather, and when hot weather follows a downpour.
Entomologist Adam Hart from the University of Gloucester has explained that flying ant day takes place over some time.
He said: “Many people tend to think that there is one national flying ant day, and the media are keen to report it, but our research has shown that’s absolutely not the case. As in previous years we have seen many ‘flying ant days’ across the country this summer.”
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