Dundee posties have been forced off their rounds after being swooped on repeatedly by gulls.
Several Royal Mail workers in Douglas have been temporarily removed from their routes because of the birds bombing towards them while they were making deliveries.
While the aggressive animals, thought to be protecting their chicks, haven’t injured any employees, Royal Mail confirmed that some posties were temporarily replaced with other members of staff.
A picture submitted to the Tele showed a gull heading towards the camera with small chicks seen on the rooftop of a house.
A gull swoops towards the camera at a property in Douglas
One resident, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “I don’t have any axes to grind with the posties but a few of them have had to be taken off their rounds because of the gulls.
“There have been some nesting on the roof of the houses in Douglas and that’s why they’re being bombed.
“I don’t know if any of them were injured but I know that it was definitely causing them a bit of grief.”
Balunie Drive resident Brian Harkins, 48, said: “I’ve actually noticed quite a few more of these gulls around this part of Douglas in the last few months.
“It’s normally just the city centre where they’re always around you but there’s been a few more here. I’m not surprised if some of the posties were a bit concerned because they’re pretty menacing creatures at the best of times.”
Royal Mail said deliveries were still being carried out as normal in the area, despite the change in personnel.
Royal Mail spokeswoman Sally Hopkins said: “The safety of our people is paramount to Royal Mail.
New gull warning signs on bins in Dundee city centre
“Our postmen and women can experience difficulties out on delivery in some areas due to swooping attacks by gulls.
“These kinds of attacks can occur at this time of year as the gulls are nesting and rearing their chicks.
“Fortunately we have not had any instances of gulls attacking our people in the Douglas area of Dundee and mail deliveries have been taking place as usual.
“We are monitoring the situation to ensure we can continue to deliver safely to customers in the area.”
Gulls have proved to be a menace for people throughout the city in recent years.
The Tele reported on Tuesday that wheelchair-bound Kim Ferguson, 36, had a burger stolen by a bird when it landed on her arm.
Last month, 73-year-old Christine Kerr was taken to hospital after being smacked on the head by a gull in the city centre.
Meanwhile, signs emblazoned with the words “beware the gulls” have been placed on bins in the city in a bid to deter people from feeding the animals.