The battle against the urban gulls of Inverness is far from over, and it seems the local authorities are taking a multi-pronged approach to tackle the issue. The city's residents, particularly care home residents and schoolchildren, have been suffering from the early morning calls and aggressive behavior of these birds, which have been described as 'dive-bombing' and 'swooping' at people. The problem has reached a point where primary schools are stopping children from eating outdoors, and secondary school pupils are being targeted outside food shops. The local authority, Highland Council, has acknowledged the challenges posed by the gulls' protected status and the need for a balanced approach that includes prevention, public awareness, and lawful control measures. The council has received support from NatureScot, who have provided £20,000 to help develop a management plan for Inverness and Nairn. The plan aims to reduce the number of incidents by addressing the root causes of the problem, such as people feeding gulls and attracting large numbers of birds. It also includes the use of kites, flags, and audio deterrents to discourage gulls from nesting on rooftops. However, the council is also calling on the public to report gull attacks, as evidenced by the recent Easter egg hunt incident where 16 people were attacked over a weekend. The incident highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to managing the gull population, one that takes into account the birds' protected status while also addressing the concerns of the local community. As the battle against the urban gulls continues, it is clear that a combination of education, prevention, and control measures will be necessary to restore peace and quiet to the streets of Inverness.
