Princesshay introduces Environmental Seagull Deterrence Programme

Date: 20 Jul 2009

Since Princesshay launched in September 2007, at least 11 pairs of seagulls have set up home in the architecturally acclaimed shopping quarter, creating complex nesting sites on rooftops. This has led to drains becoming blocked with discarded food and other fouling materials. The protective seagull parents have also caused problems in the popular outdoor dining areas of Princesshay by pinching food from customers and even flying through an open office window to steal a sandwich off someone’s desk!

Following a series of incidents, the Princesshay management team asked Cannon Hygiene to work alongside their avian specialist Eco Environmental to help tackle the problem. Cannon Hygiene instructed Eco Environmental to carry out extensive research to understand the everyday habits of the seagulls in Princesshay in order to create a bespoke programme of activity.

Eco Environmental have now started implementing a 20 week programme of tailored activity using two birds of prey which discourage the gulls from wanting to nest and roost in Princesshay. Two male Harris hawks named Zulu and Zorro, trained to deal with city environments have been deployed on 4 controlled flights a week since early April this year, aimed at disrupting the everyday habits of the resident seagull population.

Zulu and Zorro normally visit Princesshay accompanied by their expert handlers at the crack of dawn or last thing in the evening but for one day only, the falconry team will visit Princesshay during the day to demonstrate and provide information on the work they do.

Richard Ensby, Site Avian Consultant from Eco Environmental with over 12 years of experience said, “We have created a bespoke programme of activity using our trained hawks to help manage the seagull problem in Princesshay. This method of avian deterrence is recognised by leading industry organisations, including the Environment Agency and the Civil Aviation Authority, as the most effective and environmentally friendly way of keeping seagulls at bay in city centre locations. We operate under a general license issued by English Nature which sets out laws and conditions on bird deterrence activity. As an environmentally orientated company we strive to uphold the highest quality ethics for Bird of Prey related activities and species conservation in all aspects of our work.”

The program of activity provided by Canon Hygiene and Eco Environmental also includes additional visits to remove gull nests and eggs, disposing of them in line with C0SHH (Control of substances hazardous to health) standards for hazardous materials. It is hoped that after an unsuccessful season of breeding this year the seagulls will look to find a new location to live.
Ian Carter, Ornithologist for Natural England said, “This is a widely used and acceptable technique of bird deterrence, that when used appropriately can have positive results. It is an environmentally friendly way of dealing with large gulls when they nest in situations that lead to conflicts with people, including in city centre environments such as shopping centres.”
Andy Littlejohns, Princesshay Operations Director said, “We were starting to have a real problem with seagulls not only causing mess and building nests around the shopping quarter but stealing and disrupting meal times in our alfresco dining areas. This programme of avian deterrence has allowed us to encourage the seagulls to move on in an environmentally friendly way.”