Eyre Square is an “endless supply” of food for seagulls

The best way to tackle the seagull problem in Eyre Square is with changes in our behaviour, a local ecologist has advised

David McNicholas, from Galway-based Planning and Environmental Consultants, McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan Ltd, said the increased instances of gulls feeding on our streets and parks is a direct result of the amount of food waste we generate as well as depleting fish stocks off the coast.

Mayor of Galway Cllr Niall McNelis had warned that seagulls are getting bigger and more daring and were not afraid of the public anymore.

“I had a mother tell me that her young child’s lunch was taken from her hand in Eyre Square by a seagull,” the Mayor revealed. “And roof tops are being overrun with them.”

Scores of people dining outdoors in the good weather in various spots around the city have reported reported the brazen birds swooping on their food even while they are still holding it.

But David McNicholas explained that people often feed gulls the scraps of their lunch thereby encouraging this behaviour and gulls becoming less fearful of humans.

The senior ecologist said gulls can appear to be more common and vocal during the summer months when they are raising their young and defending their territories – “hence, the level of activity is likely to decrease in late summer.”

Mr McNicholas said the solution to managing this issue should be through changes in our behaviour – “not feeding them, leaving food waste around and by appropriately storing our waste bins to prevent gulls from accessing it.”

Cathal Dockery of West Pest, a professional pest control company based in Galway, agreed that the birds are only appearing aggressive now because it is breeding season and that in a few weeks the seagulls will have “calmed down.”

“To a bird, Eyre Square is an endless supply of food,” he remarked.

‘Dummy hawks’ and other fake predatory birds are flying high in locations around Galway in an attempt to deter the gulls from scavenging.

The decoy can be used in areas where unwanted birds are causing an issue, including buildings, patios, sheds, boats and gardens, but Mr Dockery believes it would be a “waste of time” investing in one for Eyre Square as he feels they don’t work.

He did suggest, however, ‘Bird Free Gel.’ This gel can be used indoors and outdoors and works in all types of weather. It is formulated so that birds won’t go near it: birds see ultraviolet light, so it appears to them as fire – keeping the birds away – although to him “there’s nothing as enjoyable as waking up to the sound of seagulls in the morning. I love it.”

Seagulls are protected under the Wildlife Act 1976-2017. “It is therefore an offense to wilfully disturb, injure or remove the eggs or nests of these species,” he added.

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