AN INDEPENDENT survey of Worcester’s gull population commissioned by Worcestershire Regulatory Services has revealed an estimated 1,072 pairs in the city.
Urban gull specialist Peter Rock revealed the findings in a report to be debated by city council chiefs on Tuesday (July 21). The figures reveal an increase of 440 pairs from 2006, when Rock conducted a previous study.
This equates to an average increase of 45 nesting pairs per year over the last 14 years.
In national terms, Worcester’s gull population is now classified as a large colony, defined as an area with more than 1,000 pairs. However, Worcester’s 1,072 nesting pairs are dwarfed by gull populations in cities such as Gloucester with 2,890 pairs, Bristol with 2,495 pairs and Cardiff with 3,147 pairs.
Lesser Black-backed Gulls make up the majority of Worcester’s gull population – 84.9 per cent – with Herring Gulls making up the remainder. Both varieties are protected in law and Natural England, the Government’s advisor for the natural environment, has expressed concerns as nationally these birds are declining in number.
Natural England currently only grants licences for egg removal or nest destruction where there is sufficient evidence of harm to public health or safety.
“The findings of this latest gull population survey are important because accurate city-wide information will increase our chances of being granted licences to control gull numbers by removing their nests or replacing their eggs in the future,” said Coun Andy Stafford, vice chair of Worcester City Council’s Environment Committee.
Worcester City Council will use the survey results as a basis to develop a 2021 gull breeding season action plan, working closely with WRS, local businesses and residents.
The results have been slammed by Coun Alan Amos, a leading critic of the city council’s approach, who claimed the city’s gull problem is now ‘out of control’.
“This proves what I have been saying for years, that current policy has been an abject failure and that without a cull of these vicious flying rats, the situation will get ever worse, as shown in North Norfolk where a recent cull by the council there solved the problem,” he said.
“The fact they are increasing even though cafes and restaurants have been closed, proves they are not here for the food but have become well established colonies and are breeding so fast – with a lifespan of 35 years it’s absurd to claim they are endangered.
“Rather than solving the problem, council policy has simply pushed them from one part of the city to another so that there are now colonies in 11 of the 15 wards across Worcester.
Visit https://worcsregservices.gov.uk/media/5538283/2020-Gull-Population-Survey.pdf for more.
