Don’t feed the seagulls, people in Caithness told
PEOPLE in Caithness are being urged not to feed seagulls.
The Highland Council has issued the reminder as it re-launches its campaign to raise awareness of the problem of gulls nesting in urban areas.
A guidance leaflet on seagull control is available on the Highland Council website at www.highland.gov.uk/seagullcontrol and from council service points, libraries and transport, environmental and community services offices.
While the council has no statutory duty to take action against gulls, it recognises the misery that the birds cause members of the public throughout the nesting season.
In particular, the council is seeking the co-operation of the public in eradicating the food sources which attract gulls by discouraging people from feeding them at home and in parks and other open spaces. Businesses are asked to ensure that litter and other food waste is properly stored in closed bins.
Councillor John Laing, chairman of the council’s TEC services committee, said: "There is no easy answer to dealing with the gull problem, however the situation could be made a whole lot better by taking up some of the suggested measures contained in the leaflet and by eliminating food sources for gulls.
"Gulls are very opportunistic scavengers and will take advantage of any food scraps that we humans leave lying around from takeaways or overflowing bins.
"What is worse is the deliberate feeding of gulls by people throwing food to them in the street or feeding them in their gardens. I would like to thank the many people who already act responsibly but now encourage others to follow by not feeding gulls."
The campaign to raise awareness of the problem of seagulls nesting in urban areas in the Highlands was first introduced in May last year by the council.
