CALLS have been made for Fife Council to deal with the “intolerable” issues created by seagulls in Fife.

A petition set up by a fed up Inverkeithing resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, has already attracted over 600 signatures, something he believes reflects the feeling of many who are desperately seeking respite from the nuisance birds.

“It is an absolute nightmare,” he said. “The noise is constant from 4am until past midnight.

"I know Inverkeithing has had a really bad problem for a couple of years.

"Signs on lampposts not to feed them is simply not enough and devolving responsibility to individual property owners is now intolerable and won’t deal with the issue.”

As reported previously in the Press, residents in the Boreland area of Inverkeithing previously clubbed together to pay for independent pest controllers, however he feels this should not be necessary.

He has spoken to local councillor David Barratt who has provided support and advice however he said that the issue is greatly in need of a council-wide strategy.

“There is then the reliance on someone to knock on doors and ask them to support the case and then manage funds and collect money and also liaise with pest control,” he added.

“Some kind of council strategy is needed to address the problem. Some solutions are out of our control like having seagull-proof bins and educating schoolchildren.

"It is something the council should help with.”

Fife Council said advice is available on its website for any householders affected.

“Each year during the summer months we receive a number of complaints about the problems caused by seagulls,” it stated.

“To lessen the problems we can all play our part by not feeding the gulls, deliberately or by dropping litter, and property owners gull-proofing their properties before breeding season starts.

“We have no statutory duty to deal with gulls and, although we can give advice, we encourage property owners to contact a private pest control company for gull-proofing measures.

"If the birds are not on your property we cannot make the owners of the property they are on take any action.

“All birds are protected under law, as are their nests, eggs and every stage of life. But certain species may be controlled by applying for a general licence from Scottish Natural Heritage (now called Nature Scot).

“Feeding birds in gardens is widespread and is a valuable part of conserving garden bird numbers, particularly in the winter months.

"However, excessive bird feeding, such as scattering food over lawns, encourages pests including gulls, causing noise and fouling problems for neighbours.

"You can report excessive bird feeding within someone’s garden by calling 01592 583642 or emailing safercommunities.team@fife.gov.uk.”

To sign the petition go to www.change.org/p/fife-council-damage-and-noise-from-seagulls-petition-fife-council-to-actively-manage-the-problem?redirect=false.