Gull control over the last 5 years
Case reference FOI2024/01666
Received 3 October 2024
Published 28 October 2024
Request
I would like information about:
1. How are Herring Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls and their nests on Council buildings managed?
2. How many times have birds of prey or other means/methods been used to disrupt nests of Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull on Council buildings over the last 5 years?
Response
I would like information about:
1. How are Herring Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls and their nests on Council buildings managed?
Answer: The Service Area have advised only when there is a need to preserve public health or for public safety a person may take, damage or destroy herring gull nests – or take or destroy herring gull eggs. Although we have no statutory duty to take action against gulls, since 2007, the council put in place a stakeholder forum to annually review the situation with nesting gulls in Hereford. This forum includes the public, Herefordshire Council members, Hereford City members, as well as businesses and experts in the control of birds.
Gulls are a protected species, and interventions such as removal of eggs under general licence were revoked in 2020.
2. How many times have birds of prey or other means/methods been used to disrupt nests of Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull on Council buildings over the last 5 years?
Answer: None.
Documents
This is Herefordshire Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.