Seagull chaos at Dynamo Dresden: artificial turf as a new feeding paradise!

Seagull chaos at Dynamo Dresden: artificial turf as a new feeding paradise!

An unexpected chaos has occurred in the Dynamo Dresden training center. How ran.de reported that over 70 black-headed gulls gathered on the Saxon second division club's artificial turf pitch on Monday. These feathered crooks were very inventive and attacked the granules of the pitch, which caused excitement among those in charge at the club.

A reporter from the Bild newspaper was on site and observed how the seagulls pecked vigorously at the plastic granules. According to René Sievert, a qualified biologist from the Saxony Nature Conservation Association, the seagulls apparently confuse the granules with food. “These birds are pretty resourceful and will eat almost anything,” Sievert said, noting that the gulls’ behavior is not commonplace.

Effects on the seagulls

But snacking on the artificial turf could have long-term consequences for the seagulls. “Rubber and plastic are not directly deadly, but they are unhealthy, especially for young birds,” warned Sievert. Microplastics can build up in the birds' bodies over time, which could be extremely harmful to the offspring. Feeding on artificial turf therefore represents a dangerous mix of enjoyment and health risk for the seagulls.

Despite this worrying trend, Dynamo Dresden has not yet taken any measures to ward off the seagulls. The granules on the site are refilled once a year, so there is no short-term fix in sight. A look into the EU's grab bag shows that from 2031 plastic granules will be banned due to a new regulation against microplastics, which also affects artificial turf. The club management could soon be faced with the question of which alternatives can be considered.

Alternatives for artificial turf

There are already alternatives to the filling material currently used: granules made from cork or olive pits are options that are increasingly being tested in Germany. Dozens of artificial turf pitches are already using such more environmentally friendly alternatives. Loud Deutschlandfunk There are around 7,000 artificial turf pitches in Germany that are not affected by the upcoming ban - at least until the subsequent adjustment.

However, extensive research and training for groundskeepers could also be required in a timely manner in order to optimize the use of artificial turf and at the same time reduce the environmental impact of microplastics. The topic is becoming increasingly important as hundreds of places are already researching alternative filling materials, while at the same time funding for places filled with microplastics has been stopped.

It should be noted that Dynamo Dresden not only focuses on the sporting challenges of the upcoming season, but also nature suddenly attracts attention in the form of hungry seagulls. It will be exciting to see how the club reacts to this unexpected visit and what steps are taken to make the artificial turf safe for both players and the animal troublemakers.