Seagulls in Hereford

Hereford city has a growing colony of seagulls of about 400 pairs, thought to be increasing at about 10 per cent per year. The species that live here are mainly Lesser Black Backed Gulls, although other types are found as well.

The gulls return from their migration overseas in early spring each year, usually to the place where they were reared themselves. However, the recent warmer winters have even led to a residual population remaining in Hereford all year round.

The growing colony in Hereford has now got to the point where the sheer numbers are leading to more and more complaints about the potential public health issues arising from their nests, droppings and their provocative behaviour. A group of residents in the Grandstand Road area have even formed an action group in response to this.

The original colony was very much based around the industrial rooftops of Holmer and the Westfields Trading Estate area in the north of Hereford, although in the last few years this population has spilt over into the city centre and to the Rotherwas Industrial Estate south of the river. Their behaviour has also changed, with gulls now regularly being seen in High Town feeding on any scrap of dropped food.

In recognition of this growing problem, Herefordshire Council has appointed a specialist contractor, to manage the urban gull population within the city for 2008. The company chosen is Falconry Services Pest Control Ltd, who privately also carry out work for both Special Metal Wiggins and for Bulmers.

It is anticipated that this new contract with the council will promote an integrated approach to the management of gulls across the entire city, improving upon those already adopted by Worcester and Gloucester, which tend to deal only with the city centres.

Work started on April 10 and will continue until the end of August, this being timed with the breeding and nesting season of the gulls. The contractor is not shooting or killing the gulls and their chicks, but instead humanely removing their nests and eggs in accordance with a general licence from Defra and guidelines from the RSPB. The council aims to deliver this as a free service, although contributions from businesses towards the cost of clearance is encouraged.

Research and experience elsewhere in the UK has shown that this should not only reduce the number of young gulls in Hereford, but also discourage future nesting birds from returning. It is also thought that by reducing gulls in Hereford to a more manageable level, garden bird species might increase, as there will less competition and their young will not be attacked.

Marc Willimont, Herefordshire Council's principal environmental health officer, said: "This is the first time any joined-up gull control work has been taken in Hereford and we are grateful to both Wiggins and Sun Valley for contributing to the funding of this.

"By working closely with our business partners we hope that there will be an integrated approach and that we will see a fall in populations, rather than the displacement of the colonies from one roof to another. I wish to personally thank both Wiggins and Sun Valley for helping to fund this, which has significantly kept the cost to the council tax payer down," he added.

Councillor Polly Andrews, who has been a driving force behind the scheme, said: "We are always keen to respond to concerns of residents and feel this work will make a real difference to people whose lives are being made intolerable by the increasing numbers of seagulls in the city.

"This work will reduce the number of seagulls in the city and hopefully prevent nesting birds from returning," she added.

The joint working and funding between Herefordshire Council and some of the biggest companies in Hereford, including Special Metal Wiggins Ltd and Sun Valley Foods Ltd is thought to be unique in the UK.

The council is keen to encourage other large companies to both contribute and participate in the scheme. This is important because the council is trying to develop a comprehensive approach, rather than companies simply taking their own measures to drive gulls onto neighbouring properties.

If you wish to report a nest on your roof or have any information that may help us, please contact the Council on 01432 261761 or email: ethelpline@herefordshire.gov.uk