Dumbarton and the Vale inhabitants having seagull problems will be supplied with seagull control at a reduced price by West Dunbartonshire Council.
The Council service, which is now in its third year, helps residents to protect their homes from the growing problem of gulls.
During breeding season, which takes place in April and May, gulls can become aggressive as they look to protect their young, so residents are being asked to take action now.
The service offered by the councils Environmental Health department offers homeowners help to disturb the gulls nesting period by clearing away eggs and nests and implementing spikes to roofs and chimneys to thwart gulls from reconstructing their nests. Homeowners should declare every nest on their home straight away as live baby birds will not be removed.
Seagulls may swoop down at folk and animals which they assume are posing a danger on their chicks. This may be very distressing so we encourage anyone to get in touch so that we may reduce any risk.”

Gulls start breeding in April and begin constructing the nests from May forwards after that they sit their eggs.
It requires about 3 weeks to hatch the eggs and so the 1st chicks are usually observed around the start of June.
The baby birds develop rapidly but usually do not depart the nest for 5 to 6 weeks and are quite lively. It is whilst whilst they are active that mature seagulls will become hostile in direction of individuals and animals moving nearby a nest or baby bird that has fallen from the nest.