Britain has employed its first "gull ranger" to address escalating conflicts between humans and seagulls. Patrick Safford, a 24-year-old former ecological consultant, has begun his role in Eyemouth, Scotland, tasked with improving interactions and reducing confrontations between people and the seabirds.
The position was established by the Berwickshire Marine Reserve following a series of seagull attacks, including incidents in August 2024 where seven children were reportedly injured. Local councilor James Anderson described some attacks as leaving children with "bloodied faces."
Safford, however, aims to reframe the public perception of seagulls, which he believes are often unfairly maligned. "They're really interesting, because they're really intelligent and adaptable," he stated, expressing frustration that a minority of aggressive birds can lead to widespread negative sentiment. His goal is to "re-establish a balanced relationship between humans and gulls through education and engagement."
His responsibilities include educating visitors and residents on crucial information, such as the importance of not feeding seagulls, how to behave to avoid provoking them, and broader conservation issues. Safford contends that common deterrents like fake predators, netting, and spikes are often ineffective due to the birds' adaptability.
"Deterrents are often ineffective. Gulls adapt to them," Safford explained. "The fake predators, it takes them a short amount of time to realize they're not a threat to them, and spikes are a bit more effective but they're very expensive."
He advocates for an educational approach over culling, noting that only about 25 percent of seagulls are bold enough to attempt stealing food. Safford advises people to avoid approaching gull chicks, as adult birds may swoop to protect them. He also suggests positioning oneself near walls or awnings to disrupt a gull's flight path when trying to steal food.
Additional recommendations include refraining from littering and ensuring rubbish is disposed of properly, rather than leaving it in overfilled bins.
The initiative is funded by Flora and Fauna International and is scheduled to run until August. The job description highlighted the growing public and media attention on gull conflicts in coastal towns, making it a "political talking point."
The gull ranger's role extends to engaging with local schools and community groups, participating in local events, and conducting citizen science gull population surveys. The program aims to increase community awareness and foster a more harmonious coexistence between residents and the local seagull population.