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Seagulls
THE FOUNDER of a seagull rescue charity has described the Lottbridge Drove area as a 'death trap' due to anti-bird netting on some rooftops.
Tim McKenzie, founder of National Gull Rescue and Protection (NGRP), says Booker in Hammonds Drive is one of the worst places after 13 gulls were found dead and one seriously injured.
The birds had died after becoming trapped in the netting on the roof of the cash and carry building.
Mr McKenzie said the first complaints about trapped and dead gulls at Booker came in from Eastbourne residents in February. Since then East Sussex Fire and Rescue have been called to Booker on two occasions after NGRP and members of the public raised concerns about the birds.
Mr McKenzie says he has alerted Booker to the problem but nothing has been done.
Mr McKenzie spoke to the Herald on Monday (April 19), as the 14 dead and injured birds were being removed from the roof by a pest control company employed by Booker.
"Booker said it would get something done about it back on February 25. We are now mid-April and this netting is still causing more and more deaths," said Mr McKenzie.
"Enough is enough. We have tried to be nice about it but we are not prepared to let any more birds die up on that roof."
He added that he and the other volunteers would be contacting the police and checking the roof daily for trapped gulls.
A police spokesperson said, "Police were contacted on Monday afternoon (April 19) by a member of the public and a wildlife charity, about the reported deaths of seagulls in netting at Booker.
"Initial police enquiries are being made in liaison with other agencies to establish the circumstances and to see what, if any, offences have been committed against relevant wildlife legislation."
Mr McKenzie said the only surviving gull from Booker's roof had a broken wing, a fractured leg and was suffering from dehydration and shock. Mr McKenzie said the bird has been taken into intensive care at NGRP's seagull hospital in Hailsham.
A Booker spokesperson said, "Following feedback from local residents regarding nuisance seagulls and to maintain the highest standards of hygiene, Booker has a responsibility to deal with this significant issue. We do not want to trap the birds or cause them any distress.
"Booker employs a professional pest control contractor to help deal with this issue. Following the contractors advice a net was put across the roof in October 2009.
"This is similar to other large roofed premises in the area.
"There have been teething problems with the net and the professional pest contractor is actively engaged in releasing any birds that are mistakenly caught.
"They are also responsible for modifying the net to prevent the birds from becoming trapped and to keep the them from settling on the roof, as this is the most effective way of dealing with the nuisance gulls."
Mr McKenzie says there have been cases of trapped birds in the Lottbridge Drove area in the past.
He says it is the worst place in the county because of the unsafe netting many of the shops in the area are using.
He also explained that concerned Eastbourne residents who have spotted the trapped gulls on the rooftops are now joining NGRP and helping the cause.
To find out more about NGRP, to make a donation to the charity or to join visit www.seagullrescue.co.uk
To report a trapped or injured seagull call 07765114599.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
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