"Urban menace" seagulls problem is too big for us, says Dumfries and Galloway councillor

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The problem of “urban menace” seagulls is too big for Dumfries and Galloway Council to solve, a councillor has insisted.The local authority should instead be flying in help from the Scottish Government to reduce bird numbers and improve public safety, according to Nith Councillor John Martin.He said: “We’re never going to solve this problem.

The only way it would happen is if you could shoot every gull that’s going about.“They used to be called seagulls, but now they’re just gulls because they’re an urban menace.“It’s a national problem.

The Scottish Government should be taking a lead on this, rather than local councils.”Councillor Martin was speaking at the council’s communities committee last Thursday where councillors instructed officers to write to Scottish Government officials about exploring solutions to tackle the divebombing birds at a national level.The council also agreed to spend up to £83,500 every year on implementing four different action steps to reduce gull numbers across the region.These are: expanding the roll-out of gull-proof bins – £42,000, fitting roof spikes, wires and nets on council properties – £30,000, egg and nest removal/egg oiling – £10,000, expanding the roll-out of gull-proof sacks to businesses – £1,500.Mid and Upper Nithsdale Councillor Andrew Wood asked if council officers had been in discussions with other councils about how they are tackling nuisance seagulls in their area.Sandra Harkness, the council’s community protection manager, responded: “We have been working closely with other authorities.

The environmental safety officer has actually been in touch every single Scottish authority.“She’s picked up on some in the north east of Scotland.