In reply to Rod Ackers (Opinion, July 6), seagulls are as much God's creatures as the beloved "robin red-breasts" on our Christmas cards.

As Mr Ackers rightly states, gulls are seabirds. Unfortunately, much of their natural habitat has been taken by we humans and used for harbours, marinas and, in the case of Brighton Marina, housing, supermarkets, a cinema and a bowling alley.

The Black Rock pools which were their natural feeding grounds and the rocky outcroppings of the chalk cliffs their nesting sites are now shored up with tonnes of concrete.

The foreshore is their natural abode. Gulls are being forced to find alternative sites.

We have upset the balance of nature. If you don't like seagulls, don't live at the seaside.

-Eileen Knight, Bramber Avenue, Peacehaven