Inverness, Scotland, is initiating a pilot program to address aggressive seagull behavior, following reports of at least 16 attacks, some on children.
Seagull Attacks Disrupt Egg Hunts and Daily Life
The Inverness Business Improvement District (Bid) reports that traditional Easter egg hunts have been disrupted by at least 16 incidents involving seagulls. These incidents included “frequent and coordinated behavior of adult seagulls, looking for opportunities, luring other birds, and repeatedly attacking, and in some cases hitting bystanders, including small children.”
Janice Worthing, a Bid representative, warned that seagulls are fast and can attack suddenly.
City Gathers Reports and Plans Pilot Program
The city is collecting reports of seagull attacks and preparing a plan to address the issue. The Inverness Seagull Management Plan aims to “deepen knowledge of the seagull population and determine the impact of birds on the community.”
The council is requesting information from residents but clarified that local authorities “do not take action to control seagulls in public places and are not legally obliged to do so.” The collected data will support a “targeted and proportionate approach to appropriate mitigation measures to reduce negative interactions between seagulls and people.”
Data will help determine if aggressive seagull behavior is linked to protecting chicks or foraging.
Authorities Appeal for Responsible Waste Disposal and Discourage Feeding
Bid advises residents that seagulls have adapted to city life, using roofs for nesting and searching for food in trash and waste. While a natural part of the environment, their presence can cause problems like noise, mess, and aggressive behavior, especially during breeding season.
The organization appeals to residents not to feed the birds, ensure proper waste disposal, and report any seagull-related issues through an online portal.
