Independent councillor James Anderson has raised concerns about problem gulls before and told of incidents of gulls swooping and injuring people.<\/p>\n
Scotland’s nature body, NatureScot, has indicated a willingness to discuss potential management strategies, but said there was a need to balance conservation with public safety.<\/p>\n
The Scottish Borders Council report said: “While gulls are a natural part of the coastal environment, where those coastal areas are also built up, their presence prompts a range of views from local communities.<\/p>\n
“In some areas, particularly in Eyemouth, some members of the public have raised concerns about gull behaviour, especially during nesting season when gulls may become more protective of their young.”<\/p>\n
It added: “These concerns have included issues such as noise, perceived aggression and the disturbance caused by gulls accessing waste.”<\/p>\n
The report said the local authority had not seen a significant increase in formal complaints in recent years.<\/p>\n
But it acknowledged gull-related issues were raised periodically by community councils, councillors and through public forums.<\/p>\n