We’ve seen them out Castle Island, loitering near Sullivan’s, looking for the right moment to strike. Seagulls, aka brazen street toughs with wings. Evidently, this summer has been particularly dangerous when it comes to the seagulls. And it’s not one or two, it can be up to twenty seagulls swooping down from above and attacking unsuspecting Sully’s customers. It’s become such a problem that the legendary hot dog and burger spot decided to remove the outdoor seating! It’s currently marked off with caution tape and warning signs posted for people to watch out for seagulls.
“We’ve never seen it like this before. They (the seagulls) swoop down and grab the food right as the person is putting it in their mouth. It’s crazy! They’re vicious,” said one (legendary) Sullivan’s employee.
Like a scene right out of The Birds, customers are dropping their boxes of food and running from the scene screaming. So consider yourself warned. When heading out of Sully’s, walk with a purpose. Make yourself appear big and intimidating. And no stopping to chat with friends and neighbors. Get that food and yourself to a safe space!
On a side note, Sully’s employees have studied the seagull attacks and noticed the birds prefer a Sully’s burger, followed by the fish sandwich. “They grab the whole thing!”
Last year, one West Roxbury resident had a run-in with a massive 10-pound seagull who literally dive-bombed the retired plumber for his hot dog. You can read about that run in here.
Our own Heather Foley has covered seagull attacks in the past. You can read her report right here!
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
Second beach in Middletown RI. Had the same problem so they ran fishing line from the snack bar roof to a pole coving the table area. I think this will hurt business for sully if removes the table. No one likes a quitter
Did Southe residents not see this backlash coming. Food insecurity in the aviary community is real. Seagulls have not been happy with treatment of The Piping Plovers down The L. Is it a coincidence that one week after the announced relocation of the Plovers the Sea Gull community intensifies these attacks. Alfred Hitchcock warned us in his Famous movie ”The Birds” not to mess with our feathered friends. We can only hope Mayor Wu can broker a peace settlement soon or declare an accelerated bird hunting season.
Let’s cut to the chase. Sullivan’s can dig into their hefty pocket of profits and bring the umbrellas back. They are a deterrent and a necessity for our most vulnerable., our seniors and families with children.
Maybe some competition would shake it up. If all the customers have to run the gauntlet why not allow food trucks? I think the gulls deserve a challenge.
I personally feel that these events are caused by people FEEDING the seagulls. They think it’s cute. I see it all the time and not just at the tables. I sit at the benches when I eat facing the pier and have had to ask people to stop feeding them, because they were swarming around. Sully’s has been there for how many years??? Gee, all of a sudden this has become a problem. Because people think it’s cute. DUH! Why doesn’t Sully’s or the DCR put up signs, and more than 1 all over. “DO NOT FEED THE SEAGULLS”. Now someone will get hurt, they will sue someone and we lose another thing.