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A Scarborough Councillor is calling for more efforts to be made to deal with the town's sea gull issues.
Scarborough could benefit from Seagull measures being used in other coastal towns.
That's the view of local Councillor Rich Maw, who is calling on North Yorkshire Council to improve the town's seagull strategy.
Councillor Maw is keen to explore improved measure to help humans and gulls live alongside each other after a close encounter at last weekend's Sea Fest event .
North Yorkshire Council's current advice on gulls says:
Herring Gulls and Kittiwakes are two species of seabirds that breed in our urban areas. To help tackle the challenges that gulls present in the area please:
- do not feed the gulls
- never drop litter – use public bins or take it home
- do not put refuse sacks out too early
- cover refuse sacks to prevent an attack, or purchase a seagull proof outer sack
- do not overfill your bin so that the lid cannot close
Kittiwakes are small, delicate gulls which only return to land long enough to nest and raise their chicks. They nest on window and building ledges but only in certain places in Scarborough – between Spa Bridge and Sandside.
Herring Gulls are large, vocal gulls that live all year round in coastal towns, usually nesting on chimney pots and rooftops.
Councillor Rich Maw believes many of the measures that could be introduced also require better education around human/gull interactions.
The council has an online form where "urban Gull Incidents" can be reported including:
- noise nuisance caused by gulls, including distress calls to warn other gulls of perceived danger
- gull carcasses or gull droppings – as well as being a nuisance on paths, cars or property these droppings also pose a health risk if they are near people or food establishments. They are also a safety hazard if the faeces make steps or paths slippery
- damage to property due to droppings or debris from nests blocking gutters/downpipes/gas flues
- diving and swooping on people and pets which can sometimes cause injury
- discarded food waste left in the open or people feeding gulls
- overflowing litter bins or open skips from which gulls are obtaining food
The form can be found at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/environment-and-neighbourhoods/animals/seagulls
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