The tale unfolds on December third along the rugged Cornish coast of England. A sudden shift in the weather transforms the landscape from a gentle autumn to a biting winter, setting the stage for the events to come. At its heart is Nat Hocken, a man who earns a living for his wife and two children through a government pension and part-time work at a nearby farm. His life takes an unexpected turn when he notices a peculiar restlessness among the birds, which Mr. Trigg, the farm owner, dismisses as a mere reaction to the impending harsh winter.

Night of Disturbance

That evening, while his family sleeps, Nat is startled by a persistent tapping at his bedroom window. Curiosity gets the better of him, and as he opens the window, a bird strikes his hand, drawing blood. Shaken, he retreats to bed, only to be disturbed again by a more forceful tapping. This time, a flock of birds attacks him, targeting his face and leaving him bloodied. After a fierce struggle, he manages to fend them off, but is soon alerted by his daughter's scream from the next room. Rushing in, he finds his children under siege by another swarm of birds. With great effort, he drives them away, but not without leaving behind a macabre scene of dead birds scattered across the room.

Seeking Normalcy

Trying to reestablish a sense of calm, Nat explains to his family that the birds are likely disturbed by the sudden cold and have mistakenly sought refuge indoors. His wife remains skeptical, noting the abruptness of the weather change seems too fast for such a reaction. Nat finds solace in the orderliness of the kitchen, clinging to the familiarity and structure amidst the chaos.

Unsettling Realizations

The next day, Nat escorts his daughter, Jill, to the bus stop, then checks in at the Trigg's farm to ensure everything is in order. Mrs. Trigg dismisses Nat's account of the previous night's events, believing he has exaggerated since neither she nor her husband has experienced any trouble with the birds. Returning home, Nat clears the children's room of the fallen birds and, gazing out to sea, observes a vast assembly of gulls looming over the waves.

Mounting Tensions

Back at home, Nat learns from his wife that the radio has reported bird attacks occurring nationwide, including in London. Sharing his own sighting of the massing gulls, he insists they are poised to attack. Taking no chances, he boards up the windows and closes off the chimney for the night. Alarmed by the silent, circling gulls overhead, he races to retrieve Jill from the bus stop.

Under Siege

As the birds begin to swarm, Nat hastens home with Jill in tow, urgency spurring him on. The family seeks refuge in the kitchen, listening to the relentless barrage of birds crashing against the now-boarded windows. The radio announces a state of national emergency due to the widespread assaults. Eventually, the attack wanes as the tide retreats, allowing a brief respite.

Renewed Assault

Evaluating the damage, Nat discovers the birds have begun to fracture the wooden barricades, prompting him to reinforce them with furniture and the remains of the birds themselves. Another assault occurs just hours later, this time breaching the children's room, and Nat discovers to his dismay that the emergency radio system has failed.

A Grim Discovery

Once calm is temporarily restored, the family ventures to the Trigg's farm for supplies, aware of the land birds observing their every move, waiting for the gulls to signal the next wave. To their horror, they stumble upon the lifeless bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Trigg, along with Jim, the cow hand. The absence of smoke from nearby chimneys underscores the gravity of their isolation. Nat regrets not having taken more people back to safety with him.

The Final Stand

With supplies gathered, the family returns to their fortified home. As the walls endure another assault, the story concludes with Nat listening intently to the "tearing sound of splintering wood," a chilling reminder of the relentless forces outside.