A large Dutch Seagull, Herring Gull (Larus argentatus argenteus) on a roof high above the city of Haarlem, The Netherlands.
In Haarlem there's a 130 Euro fine for feeding birds. In January 2014, the city council of Haarlem in the Netherlands adopted a unique law (for The Netherlands), prohibiting excessive feeding of birds in the city. Aimed at people feeding seagulls, the local bylaw does not distinguish seagulls from ducks or other birds. Introducing the word excessive provided a way out for small bird feeders in gardens. In historic coastal towns of Holland like Haarlem, Alkmaar, Leiden en The Hague the Seagulls are a fast growing nuisance. Because they're a red-listed protected species, cities are unable to fight or contain them. The cities of Haarlem, Alkmaar and Leiden were actually forbidden to take containing measures by the Amsterdam court on April 14, 2015. All cities and the Ministry of Economic Affairs have appealed. The only, rather futile road left to the local governments is to limit the food sources. In Haarlem most garbage collecting in affected areas is now done with underground containers on street corners, that leaves grannies and tourists feeding ducks. So far the gulls seem not impressed.
Size: 5472px × 3648px
Location: Seagull, Herring Gull perched high above Haarlem, The Netherlands
Photo credit: © Wim Wiskerke / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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