Bird and seagull nuisance
Feeding birds
Many people like urban wildlife and enjoy feeding birds. However, this can cause problems, especially if it leads to overfeeding.
Careless or excessive bird feeding can:
- Cause noise and fouling problems for neighbours if larger birds such as crows, pigeons and gulls are attracted to the area
- Attract mice, rats and other pests
- Put off the smaller birds from feeding
How to avoid excessive feeding
- Use a feeder and position it so rats, mice and larger birds cannot reach it
- Use a catch tray on your bird feeder so food does not fall onto the ground where rats and mice can get it
- Do not put too much food on bird tables
- Do not put unwanted food waste in your garden, especially on the ground, as birds are unlikely to eat it, but rats and mice will
If your neighbour is a tenant, such behaviour, especially on communal grounds, may be covered by tenancy rules. You should contact your housing officer or landlord.
Report a bird nuisance at another property
Seagull nuisance
All gulls and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This makes it illegal to intentionally injure or kill any gull or damage or destroy an active nest or its contents. The law recognises that in certain circumstances control measures may be necessary, for example where a significant risk to public health or safety has been identified. Nuisance or minor damage to property are not legally sanctioned reasons to kill gulls or remove active nests.
The council does not provide any service in relation to the control, removal or culling of gulls.
Is there anything that can be done about the noise seagulls make?
There is very little that can be done to prevent seagulls from causing a nuisance through the noise they can make. Proofing a building or structure can deter the birds from roosting or nesting and this can cause birds to search for another suitable place to roost or set up a nest. Where birds have settled on an adjacent building and are causing problems you should speak to the owner or occupier of the building.
What can be done about fouling?
Other than encouraging the owner of a building to proof their property against landing and nesting birds, the law provides little scope to actively intervene.
What can be done about gulls that swoop on people to take their food?
Gulls will often try to snatch food from people, particularly when they are dining outside or walking along the street eating and this can be very frightening. When gulls are rearing young chicks they can become quite aggressive and will attack anyone whom they consider a threat to their offspring.
Reporting seagull incidents
To report seagull related incidents that have taken place within the city centre please the form below. Whilst we unable to take any direct action we will use the information you provide to get a more accurate picture of the seagull problem in Sunderland.
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