Meeting of the Parliament 01 October 2025 [Draft]
Rhoda Grant has raised a number of points. I have the seabirds count data, which shows the percentage change between 2000 and 2020-21. Black-headed gull numbers have gone down by 75 per cent, common gull numbers have gone down by 53 per cent, lesser black-backed gull numbers have gone down by 48 per cent, herring gull numbers have gone down by 44 per cent and great black-backed gull numbers have gone down by 63 per cent.
Those are the figures for gulls in their natural environment. I absolutely accept that numbers have gone up in urban areas, for the reasons that I outlined in my statement. We have created areas that are safe for nesting and where there is a food source, which is exactly what the birds are looking for. The numbers of gulls in their natural habitat have declined as a result of overfishing, climate change and avian influenza.
With regard to Rhoda Grant’s point about community engagement, I have already said that NatureScot will be holding a series of summits across the country to identify specific areas where there are specific problems and to find solutions long before we get to the nesting season, so that we do not face the issue in relation to gestation. It is a case of preventing birds from nesting in such areas in the first place, rather than trying to take nests out after the nesting season has started.