A GROUP of Inverkeithing residents are one step closer to taking decisive action to address nuisance seagulls ahead of this year's breeding season.

The Boreland Estate Gull Group (BEGG) has signed up around 100 households on the estate but is encouraging more to sign-up to maximise efforts.

Despite the challenges faced by pandemic restrictions, the residents' group have confirmed with their contractor that the work can proceed.

It had been hoped that drone surveys could be used to target efforts more efficiently, however, the restrictions in place have hampered this.

Local resident and group treasurer Derek Rodger noted: "We continue to investigate options to carry out a drone survey but believe we will be able to press ahead without this if necessary.

"We are appealing to residents to report to us where they believe gulls are nesting."

The contractor will then remove the nest and any eggs within it in a bid to prevent more chicks from hatching in the area.

Mr Rodger added: "Having signed up many of the residents on the estate, we have ensured the project is financially viable at only £30 per household, and we stand a good chance of making a real difference.

"We won’t eliminate the problem but we hope as a community to lessen the annual impact of the gulls.”

Anyone looking to join or help the group can email: borelandestategullgroup@gmail.com

Inverkeithing has been plagued by the gulls for years and several people have been bloodied and bruised by the winged menaces.

David Barratt, councillor for Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay, feels that the group is a positive step forward but warned it would mean nothing if other residents didn't play their part.

He said: "This significant step forward should make a real difference to the life of residents on the estate but it should also be stressed that as long as deliberate or inadvertent feeding of the gulls continues, they will continue to nest in the area and plague residents."

Cllr Barratt had previously described the problem as an “annual nightmare” during the birds’ nesting season, which takes place from April and August.

Complaints have been submitted continuously to Fife Council but the responsibility for addressing this issue does not fall at their door.

Dawn Jamieson, service manager for safer communities, said: “Control of nesting gulls is the responsibility of the owner of the property on which the nest is situated.

“There is no statutory responsibility on the council to control the gull population or to instruct owners to take action."