Concerned residents in Burnham-On-Sea have this week called on the district council to do more to reduce the town’s ever-increasing seagull population.
Rachel Burland, pictured, wants Sedgemoor councillors to examine the possibility of culling the animals, oiling the eggs to prevent them hatching, or replacing real eggs with decoy ones to halt the birds breeding.
“They are a definite menace. I have been twice dived upon while walking along Rectory Drive in recent days and a friend in Brambles Road has seen one seagull pin her cat to the ground,” she told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“The problem is getting out of hand in Burnham and action is needed. I have contacted Sedgemoor about the problem, who insist there is nothing they can do but that’s not true. There are measures that can be taken to control the population.”
She added: “I’d like to see the council tackling the problem rather than just leaving it to get worse each year as the population increases.”
Sedgemoor District Council spokeswoman Claire Faun told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This is a perennial problem which comes up at this time of the year, but there’s very little we can practically do.”
“Many gulls nest on private property that is not owned by the district council, which we obviously do not have any control over.”
“Furthermore, to reach the nests would require specialised equipment which we do not currently own and which would cost money.”
“The best advice we can give is for people to try and avoid attracting them with food or by putting out waste in rubbish bins or sacks that they can access.”
“While there are various solutions available, residents should also be aware that some types of gulls are protected species and it would not be within the law to tamper with them.”
In recent weeks, several holidaymakers have been dive-bombed on the town’s seafront as the birds seek food. And two years ago, a 36-year-old lady was rushed to Weston General Hospital for treatment to three puncture wounds after a gull attacked her on The Esplande.
What do you think? Should more be done to reduce Burnham-On-Sea’s seagull population? Get in touch here.
