Pilot plan combats gull 'menace' in Scotland

[depakid]

The Scottish Government has unveiled a pilot project to tackle the "menace" of urban seagulls.

Gull nests in Dumfries will be destroyed under plans to try to stop aggressive birds swooping and striking residents of the town. If successful the project could be extended to places like Aberdeen which also have major seagull problems. Environment Minister Mike Russell said the project would "swing into action" ahead of the next breeding season.

However, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said a change in human behaviour would address the problem better than destroying nests.

Dumfries has had long-running difficulties with its seagull population. Mr Russell said it was time to get "tough on seagulls and tough on the causes of seagulls". He said: "Seagulls are a menace to Scottish towns and cities.

"They thrive on litter and their aggressive behaviour towards other birds, pets and even people is increasingly problematic.

"Dumfries has a particular problem with gulls with regular reports of dive-bombing and litter strewn around the town after a seagull has raided a bin."

He said he had even read about a local paperboy who had had to abandon his deliveries due to constant attacks from the birds.
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More at link (including video of an "anti-social seagull" shoplifting bird bags of crisps from a local market)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/7574418.stm

[Lasher]

1. Sounds scary

The gulls would be less aggressive if the paperboy packed a 12 gauge and blew a couple of them out of the sky. They learn very quickly.

[XemaSab]

2. .