Residents in the Whitecross area of Hereford are breathing a sigh of relief due to the gull population leaving for warmer climates.
Peter who is a resident on Kernal Road told Your Herefordshire:
“It’s been absolutely brilliant to get a decent nights sleep for once.
“In the summer the squawking from the gulls became unbearable, they would literally start at 4am in the morning and would always wake me up.
“They left a few weeks ago, but they will be back early March.”
Hereford and particularly the Whitecross area of the city has seen a rise in the gull population the past few years.
Emily who lives on Chandos Street is frustrated by the issue:
“I know gulls are protected so they can’t be culled but something needs to be done, the noise and mess they make is disgusting. My child struggles to sleep in the summer anyway and the noise exacerbates it.”
25 miles away in Worcester the city has a plan which involves a contraceptive pill.
As reported by the Daily Express -> Worcester council plan to put marauding seagulls on pill | UK | News | Express.co.uk the council is thinking of putting the gulls on a form or contraceptive pill to reduce numbers. Attacks on people have occurred in the Blackpole area of the city.
We also spoke to Gemma who has been a resident on Ryelands Street since the 1990’s:
“This area is really popular with the gulls, there are a number of high buildings and the supermarket, plus the river is fairly close by so its a nice space for them.
“Years ago you would never see a baby gull, but during the summer they are everywhere, it’s been so good to have peace and quiet, but they will be back early spring.
“I understand they come inland for food, but the numbers are out of control and they are a pest.”
Gulls have been protected in the UK since the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside act was passed, but 43 years on times have changed and they have become a menace in towns and cities.
