On the Red List

3/26/2026

Did you know that 25% of the global population of herring gulls live in Scotland and that they are in substantial decline? Well this short feature centres around the town of Ayr, on the country's Firth of Clyde coast, and tries to explain some of the causes of this fairly drastic reduction. Chatting with a local pest controller it also demonstrates some of the more ridiculous aspects of the local and national legislation that, until recently, prohibited the relocation of these "pests", allowing only their termination! It also raises quite an interesting question about just what constitutes a pet as opposed to a pest. What is the difference between a cute and cuddly critter that requires an endless supply of poo-bags and an elegant creature soaring through the skies that we have become used