County Council Defends Scarborough Bird Deterrent Works

Wednesday, 4 January 2023 11:10

By Matthew Pells

A number of measures have been put in place to deter birds from nesting on Scarborough's Spa Bridge

North Yorkshire County Council says it is monitoring the impact of work to deter birds from nesting on Scarborough's Spa Footbridge.

A number of measures have been taken at the bridge including removing old nests and using a special gel to deter birds from returning to the bridge.

Local bird watchers have raised concerns about the measures saying that the "red listed Kittiwakes, who face national extinction" are "site loyal" and will be prevented from nesting.

The County Council's Corporate director for business and environmental services, Karl Battersby, said:

“The work on the Spa footbridge in Scarborough came in response to concerns raised locally about the environmental impact of birds nesting and roosting on the bridge and the damage their excrement was causing to the iconic bridge, which is a listed structure.

“Before beginning the work, we commissioned an independent habitat assessment, as we are rightly required to do, and consulted Natural England. The conclusion was that the action would not be detrimental to the birds’ wider habitat.

“The work was scheduled to avoid a time when birds would be present on the bridge. It involved cleaning off old nest material and excrement, treating with disinfectant and placing small pots of optical gel on the ledges. The same treatment has previously been used elsewhere in Scarborough.

“The optical gel provides a visual deterrent designed to prevent birds from nesting there when they return from sea at the start of the next breeding season. The gel is not harmful to birds. This method was chosen over netting or electrical deterrents, as netting risked entangling birds, as well as being unsightly.

“We will monitor the impact of the work.”