Advice on action to deter gulls

Date Added - 19/03/09

Owners and occupiers of buildings in Moray are being urged to take steps to deter gulls from nesting on roofs.

Moray Council’s environmental health staff deal with a large number of calls each year about the nuisance caused by nesting gulls.

The birds – mainly herrings gulls and lesser black-backed gulls – can become aggressively protective of their chicks and have been known to swoop on passers-by.

The birds’ raucous calls and the mess caused by their droppings add to the nuisance.

With the breeding season about to get under way, property owners are being urged to take measures to prevent gulls from nest-building.

The birds can be discouraged by putting up netting or wire on areas that they tend to favour, such as flat roofs and chimneys.

A council spokesman said: “Over the next few weeks, owners and occupiers should check for signs of gulls establishing territory on buildings prior to nesting.

“The easiest way to deter gulls from nest building is to rig up netting or something similar.

“If gulls have nested on a particular building in the past the chances are they will do the same again and the only way to prevent them from nesting is to deny them access by putting up some sort of deterrent.”

The public have also been reminded not to encourage gulls into built-up areas by feeding them or dropping scraps of food. Refuse should also be put in lidded containers as gulls will feed among discarded litter and waste.

An information leaflet on gulls and how to deter them is available from Moray Council’s environmental health section on 01343 563345.

Meanwhile, the council will also be posting notices at burial grounds warning of nesting gulls.

In recent years gulls have been found nesting in a number of cemeteries in Moray.