27 September 2023 , 13:07
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"Psycho seagulls" are terrorising residents across a historical city - causing sleepless nights, stealing ducklings and even drawing blood from locals.
The feathered creatures are menacing people in Bath, Somerset, with "increasingly aggressive behaviour". Gavin, who lives in the city, was woken up at 3am by their raucous calls and one violent bird even made him bleed.
"It's been impossible to escape sleep deprivation," Gavin said. "I had a sandwich snatched from my hand, drawing blood; I have been hit on the head by a gull while walking; and I have witnessed a gull take ducklings from the canal."
Bath, known for its old Georgian buildings, provides an ideal nesting ground for these winged menaces. However, it's not just the historic parts of the city suffering. The new Riverside housing development is also under siege, reports Daily Star.
The situation has escalated to such an extent that Gavin, who moved to Riverside last year, was compelled to "seek refuge" with family and friends for the sake of his health. He confessed: "My health and wellbeing have suffered from lack of sleep, anxiety, and being unable to concentrate with windows open, even in the stifling heat of summer."
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The birds' nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Residents say Natural England, should use its power to grant licences for gull control through nest or egg removal. Gavin has also urged Bath and North East Somerset councillors to request Natural England's intervention in tackling the gull issue.
Another local voiced their distress over the early morning cacophony caused by the gulls, stating: "The noise starts at dawn which is 3-4am in the summer and is extremely disturbing and distressing. It prevents you from sleeping properly which builds up over time to be a serious mental health hazard. This harm seems to be ignored."
City Councillor June Player chimed in on the debate, questioning: "Natural England is protecting all birds; but who is protecting the residents?" She advocated for a ban on flat roofs, warning that the 'plague' of gulls is causing distress and misery among the populace.
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, expressed the council's limitations in dealing with the gull problem, saying: "Like all councils, we are limited in what we can do about gulls. Natural England has very strict conditions about issuing licences for nest and egg removals because gulls are a protected species by law."
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