Seagull attack victim says issue must be addressed ahead of Holyrood debate

A Moray pensioner feels the issue of 'menacing' gulls needs to be tackled after he was attacked by the birds earlier this week.

Jeff Thornhill and his wife were 'dive-bombed' on Monday morning while walking in Hopeman, leaving his wife particularly upset.

The 69-year-old says they're now avoiding a certain area of the village and his neighbour has resorted to using an umbrella to defend herself.

This comes ahead of today's Scottish Parliament debate on the matter, which is being led by Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Douglas Ross.

Gulls "a worry" for Moray man

Jeff Thornhill, who has lived in the North East village for nine years, explained how Monday morning's dive bomb happened while walking along Forsyth Street.

He said: "For the first time ever we were divebombed by a couple of seagulls.

"It lasted for about 2-3 minutes they were going back and forward, coming quite close to our heads.

"My wife was quite unnerved with it.

"I was a bit unnerved myself, but my wife was particularly upset.

"We now try to avoid that area when we can when we're out walking.

"At this time you have got to be constantly on guard for seagulls because they are doing what comes naturally.

"They are just attacking you to defend their young, but I wouldn't like to be actually hit by one with the beak that's on them.

"They could do quite a bit of damage."

Mr Thornhill also explained what his neighbour does to defend herself.

He added: "She now walks with an umbrella when seagulls come near her.

"As soon as she sees any threat with seagulls she puts her umbrella up and it seems to deter them a wee bit.

"She tends to avoid that particular spot where it appears to be quite bad.

"It is a bit of worry to me.

"We really need to address it, but how I don't know."

Claims of "bizarre" advice

Moray based MSP Douglas Ross has secured cross party support for his debate in Holyrood this afternoon where he will demand for tougher measures against the angry birds.

He previously highlighted how an elderly Moray woman broke her leg in a seagull attack.

Mr Ross has also slammed Scottish Government agency NatureScot, who work with councils to manage the birds, and claims they have been giving "bizarre" advice.

He said: "Seagulls are a daily menace for constituents in Moray and across the Highlands and they cannot continue living in fear.

"NatureScot have the dual role of protecting bird species and bird numbers and also being in charge of granting, or more commonly refusing, licenses to control birds.

"I think that is a clear conflict NatureScot are not dealing with well at the moment.

"In some cases it has been frankly bizarre what they are suggesting people do to protect themselves from these gulls, such as carry an umbrella to stop them dive bombing you.

"Or we've heard in the South of Scotland from my colleague Rachael Hamilton that nests could be disturbed by putting dogs up on the roof.

"It's just ridiculous what this very well funded Government body are suggesting people do."

NatureScot apologise for "misunderstanding"

In a response, NatureScot denied they advised using dogs as "rooftop deterrents for gulls"

A spokesperson said: "We have not advised people to use dogs as rooftop deterrents for gulls.

"As our guidance sets out, any reference to the use of dogs relates to moving gulls away at ground level, for example from restaurant areas.

"This is just one of a number of alternative measures that can be considered before a licence can be granted.

"Clearly there has been a misunderstanding, and we apologise for that.

"We understand gulls can sometimes cause problems in our towns and cities.

"At the same time, gull populations are facing serious declines. NatureScot has a duty to balance health and safety concerns with gull conservation.

"Over the last five years we have supported many individuals, businesses and communities to better manage gulls without the need to kill the birds or destroy their nests.

"As a result, the number of licence applications to destroy nests and eggs and kill chicks has reduced, from 2,633 in 2023 to 1,601 in 2024.

"There will be times when gulls are causing a health and safety issue and, in these circumstances, we have and will continue to issue licences.

"This includes in Inverness and Nairn where we are working with the local authorities to develop area-based licences that cover town/city centre properties, with a particular focus on locations with vulnerable people such as schools, care homes and NHS facilities.

"In the longer-term, we need to find ways to live with gulls and other wildlife.

"This calls for collective action, and we welcome the discussions in Parliament as well as the Minister’s commitment to hold a summit bringing together key partners.

"We will continue to work with local authorities to ensure that collaborative gull management plans are put in place for future years, with a focus on effective preventative measures, deterrents, changes to behaviour and guidance."

Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said: “I sympathise with communities suffering from disruption and aggressive behaviour from gulls and in most cases, deterring seagulls from nesting outwith their natural habitat and removing food sources in urban areas is the most effective route to avoiding issues.

“In cases where it is justified NatureScot provides licences for control when public health and safety is at risk. In the UK and Europe gulls are protected by law, with their overall numbers declining, so lethal measures must be a last resort.”

A Moray Council spokesperson said: “Gull deterrents have been installed at various locations, including 13 sonic bird scarer devices in Elgin, funded by the Elgin Common Good Fund and a further 10 at schools and buildings across Moray.

“Laser deterrent measures have been utilised at several council housing areas in Elgin, Forres, Lossiemouth and Buckie; accompanied by the use of specially trained hawks, used to scare gulls.”