From profiteroles to moles: project uncovers gulls’ surprising diet

Salford University findings show gulls are predators - not just opportunists snatching people's snacks

• In pictures: Octopus? Ice cream? Is there anything gulls don't eat?

Gulls are renowned for snatching chips from tourists' hands, but a scientific project has revealed the greedy birds also like to tuck into moles and quench their thirst with seal milk.

The discovery was among several surprising findings made by a University of Salford ecologist, Dr Alice Risely, after she set up a project asking the public to send her pictures of seagulls eating.