Anti-gull sonar devices in Elgin hailed a success
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Sonar devices used to try curb Elgin’s urban gull problems have proved successful.
Machines were placed on buildings around the town for a 12-week period over the spring and early summer in an attempt to prevent the birds breeding.
Some properties saw a drop of between 80 and 90% in the number of nests, while a few had no nests at all.
However, the measures failed to make an impact in several areas including Ashgrove and Muirfield Road.
The Elgin Common Good fund spent £15,000 on hiring and maintaining eight sonar devices.
There are plans to continue the deterrent with two extra devices expected to be installed next year.
Discussions will be held to find the best locations for them.
Talks are also set to take place with fast food outlets to encourage the use of gull-proof bins at their premises.
Councillor John Divers (Elgin South, Labour) said: "It’s been quite a success. It’s not 100% but nothing is.
"There have been pockets where gulls continue to be a problem. But it is very positive.
"The number of complaints I’ve received has come down. I’ve only had two this year. In previous years I was getting two or three complaints a day."
Cllr Amber Dunbar (Elgin North, Conservative) said: "It is important to keep in mind that the sonic devices cannot be used as a prevention measure in themselves, but alongside other methods.
"They assist us in navigating new licensing legislation which requires other measures be put in place before a nest removal license will be granted."
As well as installing the sonar devices, vermin control experts removed 50 nests and around 80 eggs from properties in Elgin.
'Flying hawk' kites and lasers were also used to try and prevent the birds from nesting.
Graham Leadbitter (Elgin South, SNP) called for everyone in the town to do their best to address the urban gull problem.
He said: "In excess of £100,000 is spent between the council’s housing and estates budget, Elgin Common Good and Elgin BID on seagull deterrents.
"But it is vital that private owners – both households and businesses – also consider what work they can do on their own properties. It has to be a collective effort to tackle this issue."
Elgin Bid installed two devices in the town centre this year. That followed a successful trial at the Giles Centre which saw the number of nests drop from over a hundred to six.
Information gained from using the sonar devices will go towards developing a gull management plan.
The document is expected to make it easier for Moray Council to apply for area-wide licences to remove nests and eggs.
Stricter conditions for dealing with gulls have been brought in by NatureScot.
It is illegal to kill the birds or disturb their nests without an appropriate licence.
