Dumfries gull problem ‘getting worse’

Apr 17 2009 by Julie Watt, Dumfries Standard Friday

THE MAN behind a major clean-up drive for Dumfries says the seagull problem is getting worse – not better.

Mark Jardine says the deployment of falcons to scare the nuisance gulls away from the town centre is not working.

His People’s Project is campaigning to make Dumfries the cleanest in the UK.

But Mark insists clearing away the food source is the only long-term solution.

Mark told the Standard: “The seagull problem is getting worse not better. There are dozens of seagulls in the centre terrorising shoppers every day. They have begun swooping down on shoppers and are becoming a real nuisance again.”

Mark believes community wardens should be given the power to enforce strict fines on litter louts.

He added: “It is time we got tough on those who continue to drop litter.

“The seagull problem lies in the hands of the public. If the public stop dropping litter, removing the gulls food source, they will be forced to move elsewhere.”

However, Provost Jack Groom disagrees. He said: “Falcons are in the sky seven days a week from dusk to dawn.

“They are doing their job well and it is clear for everyone to see that the gulls are scared of them.

“The feedback I have received from members of the public and taxi drivers who work in the town is all very positive.”

The birds of prey have been brought in for three months during the nesting season in an attempt to rid the town of the urban seagull menace.

It is hoped the deployment of falcons will help to reduce the number of incidents in the town centre where seagulls swoop on members of the public.

The local authority is spending £50,000 on the falcons and a further £35,000 on removing nests and eggs from roofs in the town centre.

Meanwhile, a sly seagull left a woman in a flap yesterday afternoon when it tried to steal her sandwich.

Liz Forsyth, aged 38, was walking along the High Street with a sandwich in her hand when a menacing gull suddenly swooped down and tried to snatch it.

Liz, who is a development link worker for the council, said: “I went to take a bite of my sandwich and the seagull swooped down and landed on my head. It was trying to steal my food, it never hurt me but it gave me such a fright. I was terrified.”