I was down at the Plymouth Pier on a recent cold, windy day. As I drove through the parking lot, I saw what seemed to be mounds of wet newspaper stuck to the curb. I wondered how it got there, but as I drove closer, I could see it was a fl ock of cold, wet pigeons huddling close to the curb as a wind break. They didn’t even move as I drove by. The gulls, as usual, were out in the wind, some fl ying, some fi ghting for a spot on the breakwater. Nothing seems to faze these birds.

I sat looking at the boats, and all was quiet until some one in the middle of the parking lot started feeding the birds. The gulls fl ew in immediately, and even the pigeons left the comfort of their curb. The food was being tossed into the windy air, but hardly a scrap landed on the ground. Gulls are masters at taking food in the air. The folks tossing the food were adults, having the time of their lives.

My dad liked to feed them, too. He would toss food out the car window, or stand holding a French fry or something in his hand. I confess, I have done it too.

I try to get the food away from the car, to avoid the inevitable droppings on the roof. That stuff can peel paint! As a naturalist, I am always telling people to not feed wild animals, but I am not going to say that to folks feeding gulls. I can’t see how it can be any worse than gulls getting into the garbage cans to get their own. Heaven knows what they eat from there. I’ve seen them choking down tarter sauce packets. Ouch! I bet it’s worse going out then going in.

co-workers from days of misery and tiredness while improving your overall health and quality of life during the winter months.

The fl u shot is available at Partners Home Care Public Health Clinic, located at 38 Resnik Road, Room l03, Plymouth, on Tues/Thurs afternoon from 1:30 -4:00 pm. There is no charge for this shot. Tel no is 508-747-5924.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me.

Troop 49 Scoutmaster Dick Eldridge, addresses the audience at the Eagle Ceremony for Boy Scouts Tim (left) and Dan Benza (right) while Rep. Tom Coulter (back row, right) & Tom O’Brian (back row, left) look on..