Seagull nesting towers could be built off the coast of Scarborough to stop the birds nesting in the town centre.
Scarborough could get a fleet of seagull nesting towers.
The idea is that structures would provide Kittywakes and Herring Gulls with an attractive place to nest encouraging them to leave the town centre.
North Yorkshire Council has approved a £20,000 feasibility study to explore the viability of providing alternative nesting sites for these birds
Local Councillor Rich Maw, says the scheme has worked in other locations.
Councillor David Jeffels says the gulls need to encouraged to move out of the town centre.
Scarborough has been experiencing problems with seagulls for a long time, primarily Kittywakes and Herring Gulls, nesting in urban areas. These birds can be aggressive and noisy, and their droppings can create a health hazard.
To address the problem, North Yorkshire Council is considering the new approach of Seabird Nesting Towers. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to mitigate the impact of seagulls on urban areas while safeguarding their populations.
The idea of using nesting towers was inspired by the success of a similar project in Lowestoft. The towers, designed in collaboration with ornithologists, architects, and engineers, mimic the natural cliff habitats of Kittywakes. Each tower can accommodate around 500 nesting units and can be placed out at sea, away from urban areas. This approach aims to encourage the birds to nest in their natural habitat, reducing their presence in the town centre.
In Lowestoft the structures are located approximately 1km offshore - with one close to the Minsmere Nature Reserve and the other two located near South Beach, Lowestoft. The nesting faces have alternating rows of fully partitioned, open, and semi-partitioned ledges. Individual nesting spaces are fitted with a sliding Perspex panel which will allow researchers to view the kittiwake from inside the structures without the birds being able to see them, as well as allowing for safe handling for monitoring purposes.Two cameras have been installed on each ANS to capture birds prospecting and nesting attempts.
The feasibility study for the Seabird Nesting Towers will focus on several key questions:
- Can these towers effectively reduce the negative impact of gulls in the town centre, either directly or in conjunction with other measures?
- Are there suitable locations in Scarborough for these structures?
The proposed nesting towers would complement the existing Seagull Strategy implemented by North Yorkshire Council. This strategy includes measures like fixing nets to buildings to discourage nesting. The study will evaluate how the towers could enhance the effectiveness of these existing efforts.
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