Pest Control
Gull Egg Replacement 2013 Birmingham City Council’s Pest Control service commenced a trial in 2011 to survey the Jewellery Quarter (JQ) for any nesting sites of gulls and to test the Pest Control options to reduce the nuisance caused by gulls. In 2012 the team enlarged its area of work to establish the population breeding patterns and buildings where gulls were nesting and in 2013 the team has focused on identifying locations which provide larger nesting opportunities. Programme Our plan for 2013 has been to repeat and add to the success of 2011 and 2012 and seek to establish the viability of a commercial gull service in Birmingham. A team of three officers continued to improve it’s interventions and to look for shorter term solutions. The plan was again to initially approach existing and new local businesses, landlords and property owners, seeking their help in providing information about gulls on their roof space. Where possible (and safe to do so), Pest Control officers obtained access to roof spaces to record nest locations and the suitability of the roofs for egg replacement or proofing. In general three officers were required for 2.5 days per week every week between May and July. Results The success of this service has improved as seen below. The team has been able to build on the access success of previous years. Far less time has been spent surveying buildings which were not suitable and some locations further afield outside the JQ have been identified. Roofs surveyed 40 average 3 visits per roof over breeding season (April to July) with a final visit in September/October to remove the eggs. New contacts and roof surveys 12. Information and advice given to 35 properties. Number of replacement eggs and chicks dispatched in 2011 =
25
Number of replacement eggs and chicks dispatched in 2012 = 155 Number of replacement eggs and chicks dispatched in 2013 = 320 This year more emails enquires have been received as awareness of the gull programme spreads, this has led to a large amount of enquires outside the Jewellery Quarter. We even had a Radio 4 Team attend and speak to residents and officers. The majority of local businesses, landlord’s property owners and public have conveyed to the team that they very pleased with the service Pest Control are offering. However there is still some scepticism about the long term financial gain to be achieved by funding or part funding these works.
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Year on year the number of eggs replaced is improving. This will continue to grow with the revised egg replacement at Birmingham Wholesale Market scheduled for 2014. By working in partnership with a roof access company, it is anticipated that better access can be gained and more gull eggs retrieved from roof locations previously not accessible to our team. Future Programme • The ICC Birmingham, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA (we now have access to all roof areas on site). Seen in 2013. (35 + nests). •
Birmingham Wholesale Market, Horticultural section (large steel sheet roof with sky lights). This site will be treated in 2014. We are looking to access. (60 + nests).
•
Carlsberg Transportation, Gravelly Park Industrial Estate (large fibre cement asbestos roof). (45 + nests).
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Museum Collection Centre, Local Services Directorate, 25 Dollman Street (large fibre cement asbestos roof with sky lights). (50 + nests).
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Electric Park Electric Avenue, Aston (large fibre cement asbestos roof with sky lights). (40 + nests).
Conclusion The team have reported a positive response from many properties accessed in terms of reducing gull sightings, nuisance issues and damage. Wider media coverage has made it easier to for the team to gain access. However, in terms of a viable commercial venture, there continues to be general reluctance from building owners regarding seeking a sustainable funded solution. Local and national media has increased the awareness of gull problems and this has increased the number of service requests received from the public and Councillors during the gull mating season. It is not possible to meet the expectation from some residents that action can be taken immediately to remove the gulls due to the noise nuisance. Gull egg removal is having an impact by removing many new gulls from taking up residence in Birmingham. The process is slow and its impact will be better measured over a five and ten year period. There are some indications that egg replacement has discouraged the building of some nests at locations compared with previous years. Nationally feedback from other participating authorities in this scheme has confirmed birds are being deterred from residing at certain properties. Egg replacement will not stop nuisance created by gulls particularly during the mating season. Gulls continue to move from their natural wild coastal location to urban environments, which provide an easier alternative food source. As a Council we need to continue to deter pest growth by our combined efforts not just in terms of removing rubbish but also in terms of raising public awareness.
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Gull Species Reference Guide
Lesser Black-Backed Gull Latin name Larus Fuscus UK Breeding Estimated Numbers 112,074 pairs Estimated Numbers in Project Area 500 + Breeding Pairs Number of Eggs Replaced 297 Not Protected
Herring Gull Latin name Larus Argentatus UK Breeding Estimated Numbers 139,309 pairs Estimated Numbers in Project Area 40+ Breeding Pairs Number of Eggs Replaced 6 Nesting Chicks Protected (eggs only)
Greater Black-Backed Gull Latin name Larus Marinus UK Breeding Estimated Numbers 17,160 pairs Estimated Numbers in Project Area Breeding Pairs 0 Nesting Chicks and Eggs Protected
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