Officials urge public to use umbrellas to fight off divebombing seagulls

Officials have urged Brits to protect themselves from divebombing seagulls - using hard hats and umbrellas.

The latest guidelines state that to help reduce injury from the birds workers and homeowners should arm themselves with brollies and headgear.

NatureScot in Scotland says employers and people who own residential and commercial property should provide anti-gull Personal Protective Equipment.

It says licenses to take action against the animals would only be given if the victims are considered vulnerable.

The guidance states: “Under most circumstances, we would expect an employer or property owner to provide PPE (headwear or umbrella) or take necessary precautions to limit the frequency of dive bombing (provide an alternative access route), as an alternative solution to a license.

“We would only consider this behavior as a risk to public health or safety when the recipient of the dive-bombing is a vulnerable person or group of persons, for example, someone who is unable to defend themselves due to working at height, or due to certain forms of disability.”

NatureScot has updated guidance for gull licensing in response to ''significant and serious declines'' in all five species that breed in Scotland.

The move will reduce the number of licenses that are issued to control gulls in towns and cities each breeding season, following new evidence populations are struggling.

The latest Seabirds Count census shows that all five breeding species of gull continue to decline, with numbers in Scotland down by between 44% and 75% depending on species.

The declines are attributed to factors such as changes in food availability and land use, with some species also suffering losses because of recent devastating outbreaks of avian flu.

Currently, herring gull is a red-listed species of conservation concern in the UK, while lesser black-backed gull, great black-backed gull, common gull and black-headed gull are all amber-listed.

A review of the classifications is underway following the latest Seabird Count publication.

In Scotland, a specific licence must be applied for to destroy the nests or eggs of gulls, relocate chicks or, as a last resort, carry out lethal control.

Since removing gulls from the General Licence in 2019, NatureScot has been assessing demand for licenses while working with local authorities, pest controllers and the public to emphasize the requirement for preventative, non-lethal measures.

NatureScot’s Licensing Manager Liz McLachlan said: “Our role is to balance the conservation and protection of species with public interests such as safeguarding people from health and safety risks.

''To make sure we get that balance right, it’s vital that our licences take into account the latest science and evidence.

“The ongoing declines in gull species in Scotland reported in the latest seabird census is very concerning.

''That’s why we are taking steps to ensure everyone is aware of our licensing approach, to ensure that populations are protected, and where possible restored, while health and safety risks to the public are minimized.

“We know that gulls can sometimes cause issues in our towns and cities and that these changes may cause concern for some people.

''Our licensing team has been communicating with local councils and license holders to prepare them and we will continue to work with those affected as we enter the 2024 season to provide advice and support.”