Seagull Advice

🚫 Please don't feed the gulls

Feeding gulls — deliberately or by dropping food — teaches them that people mean food. That's what leads to swooping, snatched chips, torn bin bags, mess on buildings and ever more birds nesting in town.

• Never feed gulls in the street, from windows, or in your garden
• Don't drop or leave food waste — use a covered bin
• Keep rubbish in closed containers; put bags out as late as possible on collection day
• Ask visitors and neighbours to do the same — it only works if everyone stops

🐦 Feeding smaller birds?

You can still enjoy feeding garden birds — but you must take measures to stop gulls helping themselves:

• Use caged or small-mesh feeders that gulls can't reach into
• Put out small amounts, early in the day, and clear anything left by dusk
• Never scatter food on the ground, lawns or flat roofs
• Clean up spillage under feeders promptly
• If gulls start turning up, stop feeding for a while — they soon move on

🏠 Protecting your property

Gulls, their nests and their eggs are protected by law — you cannot harm birds or remove active nests without a licence. Prevention is the answer:

• Remove nesting material from roofs and chimneys before the spring nesting season
• Consider professionally-fitted deterrents (spikes, wires, netting) on previous nest sites
• Keep gutters and flat roofs clear
• Persistent problems on your property? Speak to a licensed pest-control professional about lawful options

NatureScot's gull awareness resources →