Battle against seagulls being won in Hereford

THE BATTLE against seagulls is being won in Hereford, according to the city council's clerk.

Last year Hereford BID worked alongside Herefordshire Council in providing seagull protected bags to limit the rubbish scattered across the shopping areas of the city.

Hereford City Council fund the scheme, their clerk Steve Kerry, says that the project has helped to reduced the amount of seagulls in the city, but the public can also help by throwing their rubbish away.

"We are very pleased with the success of the Hereford BID big black litter bags at reducing the amount of food and we are considering trying to expand the scheme as it does work," said Mr Kerry.

"If you cut down their food supply you cut down the numbers simply. Seagulls live for 20 years and breed for 15 of those. Cutting their food supply and removing eggs and nests is the only control you're allowed to do as they're live birds.

THE BATTLE against seagulls is being won in Hereford, according to the city council's clerk.

Last year Hereford BID worked alongside Herefordshire Council in providing seagull protected bags to limit the rubbish scattered across the shopping areas of the city.

Hereford City Council fund the scheme, their clerk Steve Kerry, says that the project has helped to reduced the amount of seagulls in the city, but the public can also help by throwing their rubbish away.

"We are very pleased with the success of the Hereford BID big black litter bags at reducing the amount of food and we are considering trying to expand the scheme as it does work," said Mr Kerry.

"If you cut down their food supply you cut down the numbers simply. Seagulls live for 20 years and breed for 15 of those. Cutting their food supply and removing eggs and nests is the only control you're allowed to do as they're live birds.

"We have increased the numbers of roofs we can access and the number of nests have dropped. The numbers of seagulls are declining but they are very intelligent and resilient birds. "The biggest thing we can do is control food waste and that is the thing members of the public can do. Don't perch rubbish or chips on bins or park benches as that makes a big difference.

"Union Street used to be swarming because of the food wastage which has now reduced."