A PUBLIC information day is being held in Whitby and Scarborough tomorrow to inform residents and visitors about the upcoming herring gull “disruption and dispersal” operation.

The one-year trial programme, beginning next week, is costing £36,500 and has been designed to deter and scare away gulls and reduce the nuisance they cause in the area.

Birds of prey, including hawks and falcons, will be used to scare the gulls away while eggs and nests will be removed from buildings in selected areas.

In recent years, evidence has shown an increase in the number of attacks on people by the familiar seaside birds as they swoop down for food, particularly when rearing their young chicks.

The programme is being undertaken by NBC Environment, and spokesman Steve Owen said: “As we’ve seen during recent months and years, herring gulls have become a problem bird during prime tourist season in Scarborough and Whitby.

“I should stress there’s nothing wrong or unnatural with the gulls’ behaviour, they’re just being good parents. However, when they come into conflict with humans this becomes an issue.”

He added: “Gulls tend to return to the same nesting sites each year and with their offspring in tow, so the issue will become incrementally worse unless action is taken to move the birds to more appropriate areas outside of town.

“Herring gulls have amber protected status and we’re not out to harm them in any way. Instead, we aim to modify their behaviour through the use of non-lethal falconry.

“The presence of predator species is enough; gulls are intelligent birds and will not settle in an area where they think there’s an active population of raptors.”

  • Staff will answer questions on Wednesday at Dock End in Whitby between 9.30am and noon and in Scarborough near the old police box on Sandside between 2pm and 4.30pm.