Dumfries and Galloway Council has adopted advanced technology, including drones and lasers, in an effort to manage problematic seagull populations. The initiative aims to deter the birds from nesting in areas where they pose a risk to humans, particularly ahead of the annual breeding season.
The strategy involves using drones to identify seagull nesting sites. Once identified, lasers emit a green beam of light that birds perceive as a physical threat, prompting them to seek alternative nesting locations. This approach is designed to be non-lethal and humane, according to local officials.
This shift towards high-tech deterrents comes as traditional methods face increased scrutiny. For years, the region has managed seagull issues through egg and nest removal schemes, in place since 2009. However, licensing body NatureScot has reportedly mandated that preventative measures must be fully explored before licenses for egg and nest removals are issued.
"A variety of preventative measures are now being used, such as roof spikes, noise emitters, hawk kites and lasers to deter gulls from nesting in areas that cause a risk of harm to humans," stated a council report. Local councillor David Slater expressed hope that the new methods would be "a lot more humane" than past practices.
Last year's nesting season saw NatureScot grant two egg and nest removal licenses in Nithsdale, resulting in the removal of 11 nests from the Dumfries Activity and Resource Centre and one from Brownhill Primary School. In the period preceding the 2026 nesting season, the Environmental Health team reportedly used lasers twice daily at 11 different council-owned properties in Nithsdale to preempt nesting.
These measures align with broader efforts in Scotland to address nuisance bird populations. A "gull summit" held in Inverness last year secured £100,000 in Scottish Government funding for councils to tackle such issues. The appointment of Britain's first "gull ranger" in Eyemouth also highlights a growing focus on managing human-gull coexistence.
In 2024, Moray Council reportedly spent over £650,000 on similar measures, including lasers and sonic devices, in several towns. Dumfries and Galloway Council confirmed it received £10,000 from NatureScot for non-lethal deterrents, with a portion allocated to an Agrilaser 500 handheld laser and smaller units.
A council spokesperson indicated that early results suggest the current measures can be effective in discouraging gulls from roosting and nesting when applied at the start of the breeding season. However, a comprehensive review of the current year's program is still ongoing. The deterrents have been deployed at council premises in Dumfries, Georgetown, Annan, and Stranraer, though funding limitations prevent their use at all council sites.