Contact:
  • Pest Control
  • Address:
    9-10 Bath Street, Bath BA1 1SN
  • E-mail:
    environmental_protection@bathnes.gov.uk
  • Telephone:
    01225 477688
  • Fax:
    01225 477596
  • Minicom:
    01225 477535
  • Page Updated:
    04/04/2008
  • Author:
    Sarana Osman
A to Z Index

Gulls

Description

Gulls now commonly nest on roof tops in Bath and the surrounding area.

Roof nesting by “Seagulls” is a fairly recent phenomenon.  Since the 1980s the number of roof nesting gulls has steadily increased, as has the number of complaints received by the Council.

The Gull population has grown from a reported 200 breeding pairs in 1995 to 458 breeding pairs in 2003. These figures indicate the breeding pairs only, the gull colony would also include immature birds and after hatching, the chicks.

2001 figures indicated 410 breeding pairs, about the same number of  immature birds and allowing two hatchlings per nest 820 chicks, giving an approximate total population of 2,065.

There are several species of gull which can be seen locally and to many people they are all just "seagulls", but in our area it is the Herring Gull and the Lesser Black-Backed gull that commonly nest on buildings.

Both species of Gulls can live for up to 30 years,  reaching breeding maturity at 3/4 years of age. Both species are omnivorous and are excellent scavengers.

Both species are listed in Schedule 2, Part II of The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.  They may be interfered with by authorised persons subject to legislative requirements.  The Local Authority is an authorised body under this Act.

In Bath there is approximately twice the number of Lesser Black-Backed Gulls than Herring Gulls.

Herring Gull

Eggs: 2-4
Incubation: 28-30 days
Fledging: 35-40 days
Length: 53-59cm
Wingspan: 78- 96cm
Weight: 690-1,495g
UK breeding: 161,000 pairs

Lesser Black-Backed Gull                                         

Eggs: 3
Incubation: 24-27 days
Fledging: 30-40 days
Length: 52-64cm
Wingspan: 135-150cm
Weight: 620-1,000g
UK breeding: 85,000 pairs

Biology and Habitat

Herring gulls are large birds. They are, about 55 cm (22") from bill to tail with a wingspan of about 85cm (34"). These birds are indigenous to the UK. The Lesser black-backed gulls are of a similar size, but are darker in colour. These birds are migratory.

Breeding pairs court, and commence nest building from late April/ early May onwards. The nest is constructed from straw and grass, twigs, paper and any other material that the gull can conveniently use.  The nest can be quite large and, if made of material accumulated over several years, very heavy.

Eggs are laid from early May onwards with two or three being the usual number.  The eggs take about three weeks to hatch so the first chicks are generally seen about the beginning of June. Both species migrate to warmer climates in September.

Importance

Many people who have gulls on their property find they can cause a nuisance, commonly cited problems include:

  • Noise, caused by calling gulls and by their heavy footsteps.
  • Mess, caused by their droppings, fouling of washing, gardens and people.
  • Damage to property, caused by gulls picking at roofing materials and by nests which block gutters or hold moisture against the building structure.

Sometimes more serious problems occur:

  • Birds can dive and swoop on people and pets.  This usually occurs when chicks have fallen from the nest and adult birds attempt to prevent them coming to harm by frightening away potential threats.
  • Blockage of gas flues, valley and parapet gutters by nesting materials.  The former can have serious consequences if gas fumes are prevented from venting properly, or if flooding occurs as a result of blocked gutters.

Control

There are no tried and tested methods of controlling a wild gull population, but there are certain measures that can be taken to discourage them:

Do not feed the gulls, this encourages the gulls to become familiar with humans.  However, it is breeding success rather than food supply that attracts gulls to urban rooftops.

Bath & North East Somerset Council have an ongoing experimental egg oiling programme which is available to owners of properties with large, flat, accessible roofs. This treatment prevents the eggs from hatching. This is aimed at reducing activity, the associated noise, aggressive behaviour and potentially the number of birds.

Safety

All pesticides used by Bath & North East Somerset Council are approved substances under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 and are fully risk assessed.