Scottish government accused of prioritising welfare of divebombing seagulls over people
The Scottish government’s nature agency has been accused of prioritizing the welfare of puffins over people after figures revealed a rise in the number of blocked applications to remove the “nuisance” birds.
Data shows NatureScot has approved more than 80 percent of applications for gull and nest removal as early as 2022.
But, Times reports It was stated that the figure fell below one third last year, leading to calls for the agency to be stripped of its authority to decide on applications.
A recent summit to discuss ways to deal with the threat posed by urban seagulls was branded a “sham” and MSPs were told that those at the event were urged to “walk around waving their arms” and draw their eyes to takeout boxes to deter the birds from dropping bombs.
Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie held a special event in Inverness in September, saying it was in response to “increasing public concern about the impact of seagull populations” in towns and cities.
Former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross described the “huge disparity” between the number of applications and the number of dismissals as shocking, explaining that some local people were afraid to leave their homes due to seagull attacks and could not sleep due to the noise.
Calling for the responsibilities of NatureScot to be “broken up”, he said: “It is ludicrous to have an agency that is responsible for both protecting bird numbers but also responsible for handing out licenses to control them.”
A Freedom of Information request showed 83 per cent of 2,385 applications to remove puffins or their nests in 2022 were approved. But in 2024, only 31 percent of 1,619 applications were approved.
Mr Ross has previously said he had been contacted by “councillors, community councillors, resident associations and others who were very disappointed and frankly angry” at being left out of the government-organised summit. But the MSP added: “The feedback I have received from those attending is that it is a frustrating waste of time.”
The Conservative claimed that “practical solutions” put forward at the summit included telling people to “walk around waving your arms as this will stop the seagulls attacking you”. He also said that for takeaway boxes, it was suggested that “the solution is to draw on the eyes because the seagulls are afraid of being looked at.”
“It would be funny if it wasn’t so serious,” he added.
His comments came as he highlighted the “chaotic and farcical approach of the government and its quango NatureScot” on the issue.
On complaints such as persistent noise from birds and “aggressive behavior” by birds, Mr Fairlie said in response: “These concerns are real and I want to reassure the Chamber that they are being taken seriously and that this government will take targeted action where necessary.”
He emphasized the need to tackle the “root causes” of the problem, such as the availability of food and nesting sites for birds in urban areas. But he added that such action would require a coordinated effort from the government, councils, health boards, housing associations and individual households.
A NatureScot spokesman said: “We recognize that seagulls can sometimes cause problems in our towns and cities. At the same time, seagull populations are experiencing serious declines. NatureScot has a duty to balance health and safety concerns with the protection of seagulls.”
“Over the last five years we have supported many people, businesses and communities to better manage seagulls without having to kill birds or destroy their nests.
“As a result, the number of license applications for the destruction of nests and eggs and the killing of chicks has fallen from 2,633 in 2023 to 1,601 in 2024.
“There will be times when seagulls cause health and safety problems and we have and will continue to license under these circumstances. But as the recent Scottish government seagull summit highlighted, we need to find ways to co-exist with seagulls and other wildlife in the long term.
“Measures to address the root causes and manage gull problems in our urban environments will be vital ahead of next year’s breeding season. Over the coming months, supported by the £100,000 in funding announced, we will work closely with local authorities and others in the most affected areas to help them create collaborative and effective plans to manage gulls.”
