We're now taking seagulls campaign to our MSPs, insists community council in Dumfries

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Dumfries community council will this week call on MSPs to back their fight in tackling problem seagulls.Loreburn Community Council previously called for Scottish local authorities to unite and stage a national conference focusing on how to best combat the divebombing birds.Group chairperson Anne Lindsay will now write to the region’s MSPs calling for their support to make this conference a reality.With masses of seagulls expected to migrate back to the area from next month onwards, more attacks on children, pets, residents and visitors are anticipated.Mrs Lindsay said: “In the past the seagulls issue has all blown up – and then nothing has been done.

But we’re determined to keep pushing on for action.“We’re planning to make some appointments next week to talk to all of our MSPs.“This must be tackled nationally because it’s not just happening in our area, it’s all over.”Loreburn Community Council has been leading a gulls campaign in Dumfries and Galloway, carrying out surveys and also setting up a Facebook page dedicated to recording incidents and discussing solutions with members of the public.Councillors called for stronger action tackling the seagulls issue at the council’s communities committee in December.Basic gull deterrents were agreed, such as reporting of overflowing bins and litter education campaigns.However, additional potential actions are currently being costed, including expanding the roll-out of gull-proof bins, providing businesses with more gull-proof sacks, fitting roof spikes, wires and nets, egg and nest removal, and egg oiling.Laura Howieson, the council’s gull control officer, recently wrote to community councils asking for feedback on these control measures under consideration.She wrote: “I