BSRA Initiatives

Seagull Nesting Deterrence

Gull Report – Autumn 2023

Following the article circulated in the Spring 2023 Newsletter, we are now at the end of the “gull season” and most of the migratory Lesser Black Backed Gulls have now left us and gone to their wintering grounds further south.

The Worcester City Council Gull Control Officer, Mitchell Wright (in previous years he was our “Hawker”) has now taken over from Gordon Dugan, who has threatened to retire several times, but is still in post part-time. They continue to provide expertise and knowledge to Worcester, but also to Bath and North Somerset (which apparently has an even more acute gullproblem than we do!)

During 2023 our area has had the following gull control measures: hawking during the early mating/nesting season and later egg & nest removal - followed by nest exclusion (placing mesh cages over vulnerable chimneys) for two properties: Springfield School (paid for by RGS) and 52a Britannia Square.

These measures, along with similar activities from earlier years, have meant that there have been no successful gull nests in our area this year. It has also been mentioned by several residents that there has been a dramatic reduction in the number of gulls that pass through our area and significantly less noise and disturbance!

The cost of all the gull control measures is shared between the City Council and local groups like ours. This year BSRA has been asked to make a contribution of £550 towards this. Earlier in the year we asked residents to contribute £10 per household towards this sum and I’m delighted to announce that we have raised sufficient funds to pay our contribution, plus a little more which will be carried forward to next year, specifically ear marked for future Gull Control costs. The committee is most grateful for the contributions given by local residents.

We cannot afford to be complacent and think the problem is solved, as it is known that successfully raised chicks return to their nesting area several years later to try to set up their own nesting territories. It’s therefore important that we continue to be vigilant, to prevent all the recent good work being undermined.

Thank you for your continuing support.

John Ball, BSRA Committee member

More information about Gull Control may be found at the Worcestershire Regulatory Services website here.

Gull Report – Autumn 2022

Following the article circulated in the Summer 2022 Newsletter, we are now at the end of the “gull season” and most of the migratory Lesser Black Backed Gulls have now left us and gone to their wintering grounds further south.

The City Council Gull Control Officer (Gordon Dugan) is about to retire and his successor has been announced, it is Mitchell Wright who is known to many local residents as he is the falconer who has been flying his hawks in the City for the last few years.

During 2022 our area has had the following gull control measures: hawking during the early mating/nesting season, egg and nest removal and (particularly successful) nest exclusion by placing mesh cages over vulnerable chimneys. There are one or two vulnerable sites which have yet to be protected with exclusion cages due to difficulties in gaining access. The Council hopes to carry out those measures before next year’s gull season with innovative solutions to solve the access issues.

All these measures have resulted in a significant reduction in gull nuisance in our area. The cost of the hawking has been shared between the City Council and local groups like ours. BSRA will be making a contribution of £540 towards this. The committee is most grateful for the contributions given by local residents.

The success of the gull control measures has been noted by many local residents, who have reported a much lower incidence of gull problems this year, we hope that with your support we can continue these measures in 2023, as it is known that successfully raised chicks return to their nesting area in the following years to try to set up their own territories. It’s therefore important that we continue to be vigilant, to prevent all the recent good work being undermined.

John Ball, BSRA Committee member

Hawking Reports
Download Word document

Hawk & falcon report 6.7.20.docx
Hawk & falcon report 1.6.20.docx
Hawk & falcon report 8.6.20.docx
Hawk & falcon report 25.5.20.docx
Hawk & falcon report 18.5.20.docx
Hawk & falcon report 4.5.20.docx
Hawk & falcon report 27.4.20.docx
Hawk & falcon report 20.4.20.docx
Hawk & falcon report 13.4.20.docx
Hawk & falcon report 6.4.20.docx
Hawk & falcon report 30.3.20.docx

Original PFS Proposal Document
Download PDF document

Pest Free Solutions Proposal Gull.pdf

Above right – 'Heraldic Finial' – Otis the Hawk. Photograph by Ella Blankstone.

Below – Seagull egg replacement on Britannia Square. Photographs by Claire Dallaway.