St George's Island
The second largest breeding colony of great black-backed gulls in Cornwall nests on St George's Island. This species will rob other sea birds of their catch as a means of obtaining food. The rat population is a constant threat to the nesting sea birds on the Island, predating on eggs and young. If the 19th century author Wilkie Collins is to be believed, rats were then caught on the Island, 'smothered in onion' and 'eaten with vindictive relish by the people of Looe'. Delicious!
For more information on this and other coastal reserves in the area visit the website of Cornwall Wildife Trust