Swooping gulls attack teen

The Burnbrae resident says his 17-year-old son has been attacked several times by the dive-bombing birds.

Now the teenager takes an umbrella with him every time he leaves the house to defend himself against the squawking birds.

The concerned dad says the problem is worse in the Rowan Drive, Oak Avenue and Mosshead Road area of Bearsden.

He told the Herald: “There is a lack of protection from our local authority with regards to seagulls.

“Elderly people are scared to leave their homes for fear of being attacked.

“This is a year on year problem. Why are the council doing nothing about this?

“Will it take a serious attack before they decide to do anything?”

This isn’t the first time the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald has reported on this problem.

In April this year we ran a story about pensioner Margaret Robertson who resorted to wearing a cycle helmet to protect herself from swooping seagulls.

Mrs Robertson, a Betterware salesperson, was so fed up of being attacked by the birds during house calls in some streets of Bearsden that she began wearing the helmet and carrying a walking pole to protect herself. On one occasion she was chased along the street by up to six seagulls.

East Dunbartonshire Council’s community protection manager, Evonne Bauer, said: “The council does not have a statutory responsibility for dealing with wild birds, like seagulls, and consequently does not provide a service to control them.

“The reason for this is that seagulls, like other wild birds, are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and a licence is required to kill them.

“Residents who have problems with wild birds nesting or roosting can employ licensed contractors for advice and assistance.

“If the owner or occupier of an affected building needs more information on the legal position on dealing with these birds they can contact Scottish Natural Heritage on 01463 725000.”