Countdown to gull season begins

The population of gulls in the UK is increasing rapidly. Rooftop nesting has quadrupled over the past 15 years as birds bring the previous year’s offspring with them to the same sites and multi-generational colonies grow. Year on year, related issues* increase too as nesting colonies become established and the eggs hatch from late May onwards.

In February, issues around gulls were raised at Westminster for the first time since David Cameron called for a “big conversation” about gulls in 2015. MPs from communities across the UK including Plymouth, St. Ives, Cheltenham, St. Austell and Newquay, and Aberdeen, debated what measures could be taken to address the various problems that can occur when nesting sites are established alongside humans.

John Dickson, Managing Director of NBC Environment, says: “It is good to see the matter of gull management being addressed proactively, rather than waiting for the inevitable cycle of media scare-stories about gull attacks in the summer months. The majority of those taking part in the debate represented coastal areas. Notably Derek Thomas, MP for St. Ives, spoke to address the case of a teenager who narrowly avoided critical injury after falling off a sea wall during a gull mugging in July last year. As this high-profile incident goes to show, despite the lurid reporting, that it is just a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.”

There’s no denying gull attacks, along with the noise and mess the birds create, are a very real concern for businesses and public sector organisations alike. Although there have been growing calls for a cull, all UK birds are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981**.  NBC Environment advocates humane methods, such as the use of egg and nest removal and falconry to modify the birds’ behaviours. These non-lethal tactics are designed to encourage gulls to set up colonies in more appropriate habitats where they are less likely to come into conflict with humans.  

John Dickson explains: “We work hard to balance commercial and public safety objectives with ecological responsibility.  It would be entirely wrong to characterise gulls merely as pests. Rather, the problem lies in where they are choosing to nest. This impacts both the public and private sectors. Over and above the damage to property, organisations could potentially take the brunt of any litigation from anyone who suffers ill-health or injury on account of gulls, for example as a result of aggressive behaviour, or a slip on faeces.

“This doesn’t warrant a cull though. We need to remember that many species, including herring gulls, are in decline across Europe and we are bound by EU and international laws to protect them. Gull populations are on the rebound in the UK thanks to this forward-looking wildlife legislation and it makes no sense to reverse good conservation work. The fact MPs are now calling for an annual ‘seagull (sic) summit’ and a national study is very positive because it suggests they are looking for long term solutions instead of simply reacting to sensationalised stories.”

Eggs will start to hatch in May and June and once that happens the chicks are protected by environmental legislation. As such, there is still a window of opportunity to implement gull management initiatives that would, over time, discourage gulls from settling at particular sites. However, it is illegal to harm a wild bird or for tamper with its nest. Therefore, it is imperative that any activities must be completed by a licensed professional. For more information please see www.nbcenvironment.co.uk