A cheeky seagull has gone viral after being caught helping itself to a customer’s lunch.
In a Facebook video shared by Go West with Marc, a herring gull is seen confidently striding across an outdoor table and tucking into a plate of food.
It’s another example of food thefts that are a common sight throughout the summer months.
In the post attached to the video, Go West with Marc described each of three attempts the seagull made, describing him as "the resident food thief".
They added: "So this is the resident food thief in Tenby.
"Yes this is very funny to watch however, the underlying issue is a serious one.
"The seagulls are getting more and more territorial and stealing more food because they're associating us humans with their most reliable food source.
"Just be mindful when in Tenby and please stop feeding them."
For many, gulls snatching chips, ice creams, and pasties are all part of the coastal experience.
However, in Pembrokeshire, the problem appears to be particularly severe, with some beaches listed among the worst in the UK for seagull-related incidents.
Visitors to hotspots like Tenby have reported being "dive-bombing birds" and having food snatched directly from their hands, especially along packed promenades and pavements.
Wildlife experts and conservationists say the behaviour is learned, not random.
Gulls have come to associate humans with easy meals, and every discarded chip or half-eaten sandwich reinforces that impression.
Organisations such as the RSPCA have also warned that processed human food is unhealthy for gulls, who are already coping with environmental changes affecting their natural diets.
Gull experts and seaside regulars advise taking several steps to reduce the risk of a swoop-and-grab.
The first is straightforward: don’t feed them.
Even casually tossing a few chips encourages more aggressive behaviour and future incidents.
People are also advised to eat under shelter when possible, keep food close rather than extended outwards, and maintain eye contact with nearby gulls to signal awareness.
Tidiness is particularly important.
Many councils have trialled gull-proof bins and reinforced rubbish bags, but these measures are only effective if the public uses them properly.
Advice recommends clearing up food waste and securing bins to prevent further scavenging.
If a gull does succeed in stealing food, any remaining scraps should be removed to avoid attracting more birds.
Most gull species are protected under UK law, with lethal control measures strictly regulated.
This means the solution lies in modifying human behaviour rather than targeting the birds themselves.
With simple precautions, residents and holidaymakers alike can help reduce gull-related incidents.
The hope is that people can continue to enjoy Pembrokeshire’s wildlife—and the occasional viral video—without turning every meal into a seagull free-for-all.
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