Three-year seagull plan drawn up

A three-year strategy has been drawn up to combat the seagull problem

A three-year plan to tackle the problems posed by urban seagulls has been drawn up in southern Scotland.

A Dumfries and Galloway Council task force is recommending a falcon be used to stop the birds nesting and action be taken to remove eggs from rooftops.

The issue has become a major concern in places as far apart as Dumfries, Aberdeen and Kirkcaldy in recent years.

It is hoped the south west Scotland scheme can be used as a template for other areas to tackle their problems.

A national summit was held in Dumfries last year, with Environment Minister Mike Russell hoping it could become a role model for the rest of Scotland.

A report has now been drawn up which outlines the council's battle plan.

It is proposed that between February and mid May a falcon would be used to patrol the skies above Dumfries and stop seagulls nesting.

At the same time a rooftop clean-up would take place to remove any nests and eggs in the town centre.

'Human euthanasia'

Where there were difficulties in nests or eggs being reached, advice would be given to owners on how to fit exclusion devices.

It is proposed that "humane euthanasia" would also be carried out on any chicks that fell out of nests.

However, the scheme comes with significant costs - estimated to be as high as £85,000 in the first year alone.

Councillors will decide at a meeting next week whether to fully fund the project or seek a government grant for the scheme.

Not everyone favours the use of seagull control measures to tackle the problem.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has said a change in human behaviour would address the issue better than taking action against the birds.