Feasting Gulls Pepper City Hall With Droppings

SAGINAW (AP) - Herring gulls feasting on fish in the Saginaw River are pelting Saginaw City Hall with droppings.

One city official tells The Saginaw News that some people are carrying umbrellas to shield themselves from the aerial barrage.

Gull droppings also are hitting other buildings, cars, trucks, sidewalks and people.

The area's unusually warm weather may be behind the large numbers of gizzard shad providing meals for the gulls. Saginaw's chief inspector John Stemple says his parked car was covered with droppings after an hour and a half.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources law supervisor Sgt. Ron Kimmerly says the birds will remain as long as there is no ice on the river to keep them away from the shad.

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