A bridge too far for rare gulls

KITTIWAKE nests have been removed from a bridge in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, after concerns that the birds’ excrement was damaging the structure.

- James Fisher

Bird- watchers have said that the decision to remove the nests from the Grade II-listed Spa Bridge could leave hundreds of the gulls homeless, as they often return to the same place and build their nests on top of previous ones. The council has also added bird-deterrent gel to the bridge, which gives off a UV light that the kittiwakes see as a flame and, therefore, avoid. North Yorkshire County Council has said that it has consulted with Natural England, which agreed that the plan would not harm the birds’ habitat.