Don't feed the seagulls
Today's "News and Star" reports that seagulls have attacked junior school pupils on their way to St Jericho's school in Whitehaven.
I first mentioned the problems of aggressive seagulls on this blog eight years ago when it had been raised with me during the 2007 local elections.
I have always favoured the use of non-lethal methods to control seagulls rather than a cull, and I would prefer to continue that approach, but it is clear that we need to manage the relationship between humans and seagulls if we are to avoid unacceptable outcomes - like children having to run the gauntlet of these birds on their way to school,
The first thing which has to be said is that these birds do not have any need whatsoever either of legal protection or of food from humans. They are in the rudest of rude health and it would be a very bad thing for both humans and seagulls if the birds come to associate humans with food as has happened elsewhere. I would prefer a voluntary approach dissuading people from feeding seagulls but if that does not work then, sadly, it will be necessary to introduce by-laws banning the practice.
We also need to ensure that refuse collection is operated in a way which does not encourage seagulls to scavenge - since I first raised the issue the change to wheelie bins has helped with this.
And I believe the law needs to be changed to make it easier to remove nests which are a potential hazard to children.
On past form there will be people who will criticise these essential measures as an attempt to remove seagulls from this seaside town. They are not, and such an objective would be unachieveable if it were desirable, which is isn't.
What we need is an attempt to build a new balance between human and seagull.
I first mentioned the problems of aggressive seagulls on this blog eight years ago when it had been raised with me during the 2007 local elections.
I have always favoured the use of non-lethal methods to control seagulls rather than a cull, and I would prefer to continue that approach, but it is clear that we need to manage the relationship between humans and seagulls if we are to avoid unacceptable outcomes - like children having to run the gauntlet of these birds on their way to school,
The first thing which has to be said is that these birds do not have any need whatsoever either of legal protection or of food from humans. They are in the rudest of rude health and it would be a very bad thing for both humans and seagulls if the birds come to associate humans with food as has happened elsewhere. I would prefer a voluntary approach dissuading people from feeding seagulls but if that does not work then, sadly, it will be necessary to introduce by-laws banning the practice.
We also need to ensure that refuse collection is operated in a way which does not encourage seagulls to scavenge - since I first raised the issue the change to wheelie bins has helped with this.
And I believe the law needs to be changed to make it easier to remove nests which are a potential hazard to children.
On past form there will be people who will criticise these essential measures as an attempt to remove seagulls from this seaside town. They are not, and such an objective would be unachieveable if it were desirable, which is isn't.
What we need is an attempt to build a new balance between human and seagull.
Comments
basically they prick the egg, so it wont ever hatch, but the birds still tend it. if you take away or break the egg, then the birds will lay more.
as for the more troublesome birds, that is the ones who are currently dive bombing children (Look I know they are looking after their own kids, but its still a problem) well I dont see a problem with having a pest control type company come in and pop them off with an air rifle, thats a big difference between Pest control and a free for all.