Couple trapped by aggressive gulls

ATTACKS: Forfar pensioners are prisoners in their own home

The scourge of gulls across Angus is leading to a growing clamour of calls for action to be taken against the winged menaces.

Following reports of Montrose residents requiring medical treatment after coming under attack, Forfar couple William and Anne Millar have been made prisoners in their own home this summer by dive-bombing gulls nesting nearby.

The OAPS say the problem of noisy and aggressive birds is the worst they have encountered in more than 20 years.

The gull situation is also to be the subject of a Kirriemuir public meeting this week, called by a frustrated businessman who said the scavengers are creating misery for his operation and nearby residents.

Graham Burke, of Pentland Auctions at the town’s Hillhead, said: “We want to do what we can to resolve this issue, but our options are limited. Maybe it is time to consider a cull.”

Dive-bombing gulls have kept an elderly couple trapped in their Angus home all summer.

Terrified Anne Millar, 75, and husband William, 79, of Lethnot Gardens in Forfar, say they cannot enjoy their garden without being targeted.

The torment began six months ago when a couple of gulls began nesting on industrial sheds opposite their home.

Mrs Millar said: “We’ve lived here for 23 years and we’ve never had bother with birds.

“The gulls have been keeping us awake at night because of the noise which goes on all day.

“They don’t seem to be social and have been squawking to scare all the other birds off the roof of the shed.

“We can’t sit in the back garden because they’ve been dive-bombing us.

“They are so aggressive that we just can’t go outside – being trapped inside is the last thing we need when the weather has been so nice.

“We’ve contacted the council but nothing is being done and we’re at the end of our tether.”

Experts say numbers of urban gulls are rising because nesting on the roofs of offices and houses means the birds can avoid predators such as foxes, so more chicks survive.

Also food waste dropped on urban streets provides a ready supply of meals.

All bird nests are protected by law, so once a gull has made a nest, it cannot be removed until the young have fledged.

If nesting gulls are a problem, deterrents can be used to prevent them from building nests in the first place.

An Angus Council spokesman said: “Seagulls are protected under the Countryside and Wildlife Act.

“However, the council has a ‘general licence’ to control these birds by nonlethal means.

“The law does allow for lethal means of control in relation to seagulls, but only in very extreme circumstances, such as where there is a risk to human health and where it can be demonstrated that all non-lethal means of control have been exhausted.

“We offer a free egg removal service to all domestic residents and we ask anyone who sees nest-building activity on their property to contact us as soon as possible to make arrangements for the eggs and nest to be removed.

“Unfortunately once eggs hatch the gulls start swooping in order to protect their chicks – at this point no action can be taken.

“Owners of commercial premises may also contact us to request a treatment but a charge will be made for any work carried out.”

Mr and Mrs Millar say the birds are aggressive and have been squawking to scare off other birds, keeping the couple awake.