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| Nesting seagulls defeat falcons | Nesting seagulls defeat falcons |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A scheme using falcons to tackle urban seagull problems is to be dropped after the number of nesting birds increased. | A scheme using falcons to tackle urban seagull problems is to be dropped after the number of nesting birds increased. |
| The pilot project was undertaken in Dumfries this year and it was hoped it could be extended across Scotland. | The pilot project was undertaken in Dumfries this year and it was hoped it could be extended across Scotland. |
| However, the number of nesting pairs of birds in the town in 2009 was 370 - an increase of 18.5% compared with the previous year. | However, the number of nesting pairs of birds in the town in 2009 was 370 - an increase of 18.5% compared with the previous year. |
| A report to councillors said that due to the cost and outcome of the trial it was not recommended to continue. | A report to councillors said that due to the cost and outcome of the trial it was not recommended to continue. |
| Highland Council had been monitoring the project to see if it would be worthwhile adopting in its area. | Highland Council had been monitoring the project to see if it would be worthwhile adopting in its area. |
| It was also hoped it might help to tackle similar concerns in places like Kirkcaldy and Aberdeen . | It was also hoped it might help to tackle similar concerns in places like Kirkcaldy and Aberdeen . |
| The results of the south of Scotland pilot project have been mixed. | The results of the south of Scotland pilot project have been mixed. |
| The falcon scheme was run in conjunction with a free nest and egg removal service provided by Dumfries and Galloway Council. | The falcon scheme was run in conjunction with a free nest and egg removal service provided by Dumfries and Galloway Council. |
| It resulted in 671 nests and more than 1,500 eggs being removed between mid-May and July. | It resulted in 671 nests and more than 1,500 eggs being removed between mid-May and July. |
| It is being recommended that the nest and egg removal scheme should be continued. | It is being recommended that the nest and egg removal scheme should be continued. |
| The council's environment services committee will be told that the flying of falcons without other measures "did not significantly reduce the numbers of nesting gulls". | The council's environment services committee will be told that the flying of falcons without other measures "did not significantly reduce the numbers of nesting gulls". |
| Snatching food | |
| An overall increase in numbers was reported, with the greatest rise outside Dumfries town centre. | An overall increase in numbers was reported, with the greatest rise outside Dumfries town centre. |
| A decrease was found in the number of public complaints about gulls swooping to snatch food - which reduced from 25 to just five. | A decrease was found in the number of public complaints about gulls swooping to snatch food - which reduced from 25 to just five. |
| The council has also been considering the introduction of byelaws to stop the feeding of the birds. | The council has also been considering the introduction of byelaws to stop the feeding of the birds. |
| However, it has been concluded that measure would appear to be out of proportion to the problems experienced in the town. | However, it has been concluded that measure would appear to be out of proportion to the problems experienced in the town. |
| Dumfries Labour MSP Elaine Murray said the results of the scheme showed it had been a "waste of money". | |
| She said: "Rather than looking for easy headlines the Scottish government and Dumfries and Galloway Council need to get their act together to tackle this problem. | |
| "Seagulls cause mess and put people off coming to the town centre. | |
| "It's also concerning that there has been a large increase in numbers elsewhere in the town." |