By Graeme Strachan

FOOD SUPPLIES are being cut off and nesting sites targeted in a bid to move “killer” seagulls out of Dundee’s urban areas.

Council environmental officers are working in and out of the city centre to disrupt the birds’ breeding habits and discourage them from nesting and to seek more natural habitats.

Julie Sturrock, convener of environmental services, said there are ongoing efforts to promote more responsible practices where food litter and refuse are concerned.

She was speaking after one RSPB member from Dundee said the gulls had become “birds of prey,” attacking and killing sparrows, blackbirds, pigeons and even rabbits.

Andrew McLaughlin said the city’s seagulls “have become killers rather than scavengers.”

“In the last fortnight alone, as I have walked around Dundee, I have seen to my horror gulls attacking and killing sparrows, blackbirds, pigeons and, on Friday, rabbits,” he said.

“We all know the reasons behind these unnaturally large gulls—our waste.

“One need only take a walk through the city centre to see litter strewn across the streets.

“The Seagate, Whitehall Crescent, High Street, Nethergate and Perth Road are without doubt the worst areas for this.

“The common link? Takeaway retailers.

“I don’t want to blame the takeaway vendors alone, though.

“It is up to the city council to provide them with adequate refuse facilities.

“The current black wheelie bins simply aren’t big enough.

“Isn’t it about time the council followed Edinburgh’s lead and provided, across the board, the large, steel, wheeled bins to vendors?

“As a result of this reluctance, these birds now have a taste, not only for fish, but for salted meats, hamburgers, lamb, chicken, beef. Where will it stop?

“Their size alone, as well as frightening many passers-by, is also making it impossible to easily introduce ‘natural’ predators like raptors, since these gulls are now as large as many of the largest domestic birds of prey.

“We are, at the moment, on a slippery slope to having industrial-strength birds with no fear of attacking children or pensioners.

“We have created these monsters.

“It is up to us to return balance to the city’s bird population.”

Ms Sturrock said, “We are aware of the problem and had complaints from local residents who have been bothered by them.

“We have been making every effort to address the problem but that doesn’t mean to say we have all the answers.

“I’d be happy to hear from anyone with a viewpoint.”

Mrs Sturrock said the department is constantly looking at potential solutions and is aware of the problem of left-over food attracting not just seagulls but also rodents, dogs and cats.

She said, “Most operators go out and clear up the area directly near the takeaway, but as they (consumers) walk further and further away, especially if they fail to get a taxi, they could be disposing of it as much as half a mile away.

“They are quite large birds and the fact that they are coming into towns more, we’re seeing them closer-up and their size becomes more obvious.

“There is no short-term remedy for the problem, but our efforts have been paying off.

“Our officers are working hard to reduce their food sources, targeting their nesting sites, disturbing nesting pairs to decrease their population.”

The work is paying off. Five years ago, there were about 1000 gulls on a site in Dock Street.

Now, there are none nesting there.

Ms Sturrock also confirmed the city council is looking at the issue of closed bins.