Sitting in my uncle's house today by the sea and he has bird feeders outside for small birds, telephone pole near house and the seagulls perch on it waiting their opportunity to get at some of the bread he puts out for the smaller birds, he puts it under upturned hanging baskets so bigger birds can't get at it. Anyway his weapon of choice is a laser pointer, he manages to point it at them and they fly off! Had to laugh but it's inventive! He's sitting there though retired watching the birds so has plenty of time for it.