Ethical bird control
Aberdeenshire Council has recruited a falconer to Peterhead and scare off the gulls, which have had a ‘very successful’ breeding season in the area this year.
The hawk will not harm the gulls, but the presence of the predator will disturb them and distract them from scavenging.
Lesser Black Backed and Herring Gulls are increasingly nesting around Peterhead, and their numbers have been swelled following a bumper breeding season.
A council survey found that the nuisance caused by the birds was a ‘key concern’ for residents. The local authority is now looking at options to reduce the seagull population, including nest and egg removal and gull-proofing methods for buildings.
Peterhead town centre project officer Heather Barclay, a former countryside ranger, said: “Gulls can be very aggressive at this time, not only with each other but also towards people. In the next few weeks, the problem will reduce as the young birds naturally disperse out to sea and further along the coast.
“In the meantime, it’s hoped the fly and scare measures will reduce the risk of attacks on people.”
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