CONCERNS have been raised about an “inhumane” method of discouraging gulls to nest on rooftops after a number of birds were injured in a Suffolk coastal town.

Craig Robinson

CONCERNS have been raised about an “inhumane” method of discouraging gulls to nest on rooftops after a number of birds were injured in a Suffolk coastal town.

Both the RSPB and the fire service have been called to Aldeburgh in recent weeks to rescue the stricken birds, which were stuck in wire netting.

The mesh has been put up on the roof of some properties in the town, seemingly to try to stop the gulls from nesting.

But instead they simply become trapped and concerned residents have been forced to call the emergency services in a bid to get them free.

The problem was brought to light by John Digby at a meeting of Aldeburgh Town Council on Monday night.

He said: “It's totally inhumane and I think something should be done. It's terrible - whoever has done it should be ashamed and the wire should be taken down.

“The birds are nesting and getting stuck in the wire. I know of a couple of incidents where the RSPB has been called out as well as the fire service - which costs a lot of money.”

A spokeswoman for the RSPB said gulls were a protected species and that harming or killing them was illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

“Obviously this is not something that we like to see happening,” she said. “We appreciate that some birds can be pests - especially in town centres - but there are other, more humane ways of trying to discourage them to nest.

“For example people can reduce the availability of food on the streets or put up a solid, physical barrier - which is more preferable to netting because they don't get caught.”

n For more information on ways to discourage gulls contact the RSPB Wildlife inquiries number is 01767 693690 or visit www.rspb.co.uk.