Herring Gull, and it's that time of year again - outside the window at work.

They've been squabbling over their territories for the past couple of months. Today was time to get down to business and start the nest construction, for several of the pairs. Large pieces of moss were being collected from one of the roofs at work.

This daft one nested in this gutter last year, and sat being drenched by the rain pouring off the roof in there. It was more successful when in nested on the roof, a few years earlier.

Despite being a very keen ornithologist in a former life, and them looking attractive, I really don't like the buggers! Especially since witnessing (in horror) one flying off with the only Puffin chick at St Abbs Head, Berwickshire, many years ago. The chick was huge too. But the swine managed to grab it and had it down its throat before the distraught parents could do anything. I still remember that viscous brute flying off with a web foot sticking out each side of its beak.

Though when it comes to brutality, these and others are at a much higher level still...