There’s a real buzz in the bird world this month as a whole new community heads down to the beach. And as every scavenger knows, where there’s a day out at the beach, there’s a delicious trail of leftovers for the more discerning birds.  

Your Gull has already spotted the tasty treats the Salty Sea Birds, those cold water swimmers we share a nod with in all weathers, have in the pockets of their Dry Robes. So it was with beak open, she flew to check out the chow at Brighton’s new Sea Lanes down at Black Rock (see below). 

Sadly, the healthy breakfast bars were not quite what your Gull would call rich pickings, but a hop onto a thermal to follow some likely ladies over to the Bison Bar did the trick. As the BBQ fired and the sun set, the variations on a humble burger dazzled your Gull. 

It’s a theme along the beach. From Kemptown’s growing food scene to Lucky Beach and down to Rockwater in Hove, the competition is more about how to fake your meat than luring the locals. 

Holding court right in the centre of Brighton’s beachfront, Lucky Beach Cafe (pictured) is rated in the top 20 sustainable businesses in the UK with the highest rating by the Sustainable Restaurant Association.  But it’s not all about pea protein; after  years of picking at its delicious vegan burger, your Gull was delighted to find its new fresh crab and nduja tostadas with lobster aioli popping out of the bin bags after a busy night on the beach. 

But the Gull has always been about the best ingredients, vegan or regeneratively farmed, and so was rather thrilled to find Salt Shed bringing brisket all the way from Brick Lane to North Laine. Flying back to West Hill as the sun set, the smell of salt beef wafting up from Church Street was enough to give your bird a lift onto the final thermal home.