Seagull problem back on the agenda

RADICAL PLANS to attempt to relocate some of Scarborough’s seagull population away from the resort to solve the long-running blight of the birds on tourists and residents are being recommended for approval.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Apr 2015, 16:31 BST

Councillors in Scarborough will consider later this month whether moves should be used to encourage the seaside town’s urban nesting kittiwakes to relocate back to the Castle Headland amid concerns the birds, together with herring gulls, are becoming a nuisance. A report to councillors raises fears that somebody could be injured as the gulls become more brazen in their scavenging.

“There seems to be a consensus that in recent years herring gulls are getting bolder and more brazen in their attempts to snatch food,” said Coun Godfrey Allanson, the chairman of a task group which looked at the issue.

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Recommendations will be discussed by members of the council’s cabinet on April 14 to tackle the issue in Scarborough and other resorts in the district, including a campaign to try to get people to stop feeding the seagulls.

Officers are also urging further investigation of plans to displace urban nesting kittiwakes back to Castle Headland with the help of conservationists from the RSPB by placing fine netting and other deterrents on the buildings in Scarborough where they are nesting. It is hoped such a move will stop them being able to land and encourage them to move on.

Members of the council’s environment and economy scrutiny committee have already endorsed the proposals.

Related topics:CouncillorsScarboroughRSPB