Bird issues and advice

Managing the urban gull population

Urban gulls are a protected species which, while vital to our ecosystem, can cause disruption once they start nesting. Residents and business owners should take preventative measures outside the breeding season to help lessen the problems caused by gulls during the summer months and during the approach to the breeding season in early May.

The change in behaviour is particularly noticeable once the gulls have laid their eggs and while fledglings are in the nest. The majority of complaints we receive about gulls are during this period.

As a resident or business in Cheltenham there are steps you can take to prevent gulls nesting on your property.

Controlling gulls

Although more gulls are nesting on the roofs in the town, overall the UK gull population has been going down. There are two main species which cause problems in our towns and cities, the herring gull and the lesser black backed gulls which arrive to breed.

Like all other wild birds, gulls are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it an offence to intentionally injure or kill any gull, or to take, damage or destroy an active nest or its contents. However general licences issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs allow control measures to be taken where there are public health and public safety concerns.

The law does not permit control measures for gulls if they are causing noise nuisance or simply damaging property.

When gulls are fed regularly it creates an artificially high population and encourages further breeding pairs to take up residence in the area. You are strongly advised not to feed the gulls as this will not only increase the gull population but will also cause unnecessary annoyance to neighbours.

Controlling gulls is extremely difficult. The best method is to deny them nesting places on buildings. We have no legal powers to force owners or occupiers of buildings to carry out works to prevent birds from nesting, even if they are causing problems. Experts don’t think that a large scale cull of gulls would be effective.

The responsibility and cost for resolving any gull problems lie with the owner or occupier of an affected building.

Nesting gulls

Gulls like nesting on flat rooftops, chimneys and gullies in sloping roofs. Mating activity will start in February. Eggs are laid from early May onwards (usually two or three in each nest).

The egg takes about three weeks to hatch so the first chicks are generally seen at the beginning of June. The adults become very active and chicks call for food. In July and August when the young gulls fledge, they will become much more noisy. It is quite common for young gulls to fall down chimneys, or off roofs, into gardens or onto the road. By the end of the summer the colony disperses and things quieten down until the next breeding season.

Gulls see humans as a threat and will dive towards humans who go near their young. Normally they swoop down but do not hit you.

Deterring gulls

Gulls like to nest together in a large group. Making life difficult for these birds can have good results. It is worth eliminating resting sites using preventative methods such as installing spokes and wires. Netting is also an effective method.

Some building owners may want to prevent gulls nesting on their roofs. The most effective ways involve removing all available food and reducing the attractiveness of nest sites by using physical barriers placed on roof ridges and verges. This is not an instant solution and requires planning, the commitment of the building owner and action well ahead of the nesting season.

Plastic eagles, owls, spikes, covering roofs with close set wires to prevent birds from landing and even hiring falconers and their birds have been used with some success.

Spikes can be used to prevent gulls nesting on top of chimney stacks, between the post and in the valley behind the chimney stack where it meets the roof. Wire netting between or around the chimney pots will often deter breeding birds in certain locations. A variety of gull deterrents on the market can be effective when installed by a professional. Pest control specialists usually offer nest removal (when allowed), egg oiling and egg replacement.

It may be necessary to obtain written permission from the planning department before beginning any works when installing permanent repellent devices on listed buildings.

What can you do to help manage urban gulls?

Dispose of litter carefully
Always put your household rubbish into lidded bins - plastic bin bags on the street are an open invitation for gulls
Do not feed seagulls
Take preventative measures. Gulls make noise between May and July when they are breeding. If you are disturbed by gulls on your roof or are worried they may block the gas flue, the only long term solution may be to install protective measures to prevent them nesting there in the first place, such as wires, netting or spikes.

There are several companies who are able to offer advice and supply proofing products. Details can be found in a local directory under ‘pest control’, or by using an internet search engine.

What to do if you find a dead or sick wild bird

Reporting dead wild birds

You should call the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77) if you find:

one or more dead bird of prey or owl
Three or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks)
Five or more dead birds of any species

Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find. For further information see the government advice on bird flu for the public.

Be aware that birds may have Avian influenza (bird flu).

Captive birds

If you suspect any type of avian influenza in poultry or captive birds you must report it immediately by calling the Defra rural services helpline on 03000 200 301. Failure to do so is an offence.

Disposal of dead wild garden birds found at domestic premises

After contacting the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77) to report the dead wild birds, if the birds are not required for surveillance purposes, members of the public should follow the advice below for the disposal of dead garden birds.

Disposal in household or municipal waste refuse

Wear disposable protective gloves when picking up and handling dead wild birds (if disposable gloves are not available, a plastic bag can be put over hands as a make-shift gloves). Put the dead bird in a plastic bag (if plastic bags were used over the hands, the bag can be turned back on itself and tied).
Tie up your first bag.
Put the first plastic bag, with the bird in, into a second plastic bag preferably leak proof. Care should be taken not to contaminate the outside of the bag.
Remove gloves by turning them inside out and then place them in the second plastic bag. (If unsure how to do this, take a look at the Health and Safety Executive video on avoiding contamination when removing gloves)
Tie second bag and disposed of it, in the normal household waste (outside).

Burial

The dead wild bird can be buried, but not in a plastic bag
The depth of the burial hole must be at least 60 centimetres deep, to be sufficient to prevent animals scavenging and gaining access to it.
Ensure the burial location is not near any watercourses, or where it may contaminate local water supplies

Reducing the risks at bird feeders

If you found a bird next to a bird feeder or bird bath, ensure you clean and sterilise the feeder and bath and also the area around it, if able to do so. For further advice and guidance on this, view the RSPCA guide to keeping feeders clean.

In addition to the Defra guidance above, the RSPCA have also provided good guidance on the Avian flu.

Report a dead animal