Councils have been reminded they can take ‘immediate action’ against problem gulls following the recent media reports of gulls attacking the public.
Natural England are encouraging local authorities to take preventative measures against gulls such as installing netting or wire over vulnerable roosting areas, keeping food storage and waste facility areas secure, and discouraging deliberate feeding of birds by the public.
These can all be carried out without a licence from Natural England, the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England.
Where such measures are proving ineffective, Natural England said local authorities can take immediate action if these gulls pose a risk to public health or safety.
This includes removing the nests and eggs of lesser black-backed gulls and herring gulls without having to spend time applying for a specific, individual licence. It also allows lethal control of lesser black-backed gulls in certain circumstances.
James Diamond, operations director at Natural England, stated: ‘Natural England provides clear licensing advice to local authorities and landowners on the actions they can take to manage potential gull problems. Where certain species pose a risk to public health or safety, immediate action is allowed; this can include removing their nests and eggs and, for lesser black-backed gulls, lethal control if necessary.
'We recommend that local authorities develop a long-term management strategy, using a package of measures, to keep gull numbers in check.’
Herring gulls, however, have been red-listed as a bird of conservation concern so their lethal control is only permitted by obtaining an special license from Natural England.
