From Iceland — Seagull Plague In Selfoss

Seagull Plague In Selfoss

Published May 15, 2012

A noisy flock of seagulls have descended upon Selfoss, for the same reason they recently plagued Kópavogur – dried meat used as fertiliser.
Dried meat, in powder or pellet form, is sometimes used in Iceland to fertilise grass. The practice is causing problems for residents of Selfoss, the south Iceland news service DFS reports.
Numerous people have contacted the news office reporting a flock of seagulls congregating around the cemetery of Selfosskirkja church. Their presence and sheer numbers were enough to cause concern, and DFS looked into the cause. As it turns out, the cemetery grass had recently been fertilised with powdered meat, attracting the birds.
Earlier this month, the use of meat pellets instead of powder over a football field in Kópavogur attracted so many seagulls that residents were overwhelmed. Many reported being kept awake at night by the constantly squawking, and children were afraid to go near the field. In the end, lawnmowers were dispatched to break the pellets into fine powder, which would presumably solve the problem.
But the use of powdered meat as fertiliser elsewhere nonetheless attracting seagulls suggests foregoing dried meat altogether, if seagulls are to be avoided.

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