Highland leaflet to deal with seagulls
Advice on how to combat birds
Published:
THE menace of marauding gulls has led to a leaflet campaign being launched yesterday giving advice to the public about how to combat the nuisance they often cause in urban areas.
Although Highland Council has no statutory duty to take action against gulls, it recognises the misery that gulls cause many homeowners and businesses throughout the nesting season, which is just about to begin.
Copies of a leaflet on seagull control will be distributed from council service points, libraries, transport environmental and community services offices and on the council website at www.highland. gov.uk/seagullcontrol
It provides information and advice on gulls and the law; problems caused by gulls; the controlling of gulls; deterrent measures; and education about gulls.
Councillor John Laing, chairman of transport and environment services committee, said: “Gulls are very opportunistic scavengers and take full advantage of the left-overs that we humans provide for them in our urban areas. Food sources can either be deliberately provided by putting out food scraps, bread and take-aways or indirectly by overfilling household bins or littering.
“I urge everyone not to drop litter in the streets and not to feed gulls at the riverside, harbour or park.
“I also call on homeowners not to feed seagulls in their gardens and to ensure that their bin lids are closed; and businesses to ensure that their waste is securely stored.”
The leaflet also explains that only licensed contractors with specialist skill and experience are legally allowed to kill certain species of gulls. It also explains what homeowners and businesses can do to prevent gulls nesting on their properties and gives examples of the different types of deterrent measures that can be taken to try to prevent gulls from nesting.
Councillor Laing added: “There is no easy answer to dealing with the problem of gulls in urban areas but if we can help to educate the public and advise them of the measures available to them then hopefully we can make a difference.”
