New Seagull Strategy Launched in Four UK Seaside Towns

Scarborough: So, it turns out that seagulls are causing quite a ruckus in four lovely seaside towns in North Yorkshire. The local council is stepping in with a £36,000 plan to help keep tourists safe from these pesky birds.

These towns—Scarborough, Whitby, Filey, and Bridlington—are super popular with visitors who love the beaches and fresh sea air. But the seagulls? Not so much. They’ve been getting a bit too bold, and some businesses have even had to put up barbed wire to keep them at bay.

It’s like a scene from a movie, with these birds swooping in like Viking raiders! Local councillors are now working on a strategy to tackle this issue head-on this summer.

According to reports, the plan will explore finding new nesting spots for the gulls along the coast. Conservative councillor Keane Duncan mentioned that there have been over 60 reports of gulls attacking people and pets in the last couple of years. They’re urging folks not to feed the birds or leave litter around.

It seems that fried fish and ice cream aren’t exactly on the seagull diet, so they want to minimize those interactions. Dean Richardson, who oversees regulatory services, noted that rooftops and ledges are prime nesting spots for these birds, and complaints about them have been on the rise.

The new plan includes educating the public about the risks of feeding seagulls and putting up signs to raise awareness. They’re also encouraging everyone to keep the beaches clean and free of rubbish.

Ashton Bunn, who’s dealt with cleaning up after the gulls, said it feels like a never-ending battle. Even with barbed wire, the problem persists. He mentioned that while it’s frustrating, living in a seaside town means dealing with some of these challenges.

Interestingly, this approach in Yorkshire is similar to what’s been done in Scotland and Bath, where they’ve had plans in place for a while now. It’s clear that seagulls are a common issue in coastal areas!