Britain's first 'gull ranger' starts work to 'improve human-seagull relations'

Published: 01:28, 15 July 2026 | Updated: 01:29, 15 July 2026 Britain's first 'gull ranger' has started work to improve human and seagull relations.  Patrick Safford, 24, is set to teach people in Eyemouth, Scotland how to have better interactions and 'avoid conflict' with the seabirds. The unusual position managed by the Berwickshire Marine Reserve was created after several people suffered seagull attacks, with seven child victims in August 2024. James Anderson, a councillor who has sought to ban gull feeding, said children were left with bloodied faces after the attacks. But Mr Safford says seagulls get an unfairly negative reputation, stating: 'They're really interesting, because they're really intelligent and adaptable.' He added: 'I've been interested in gulls for a long time and it's always frustrated me that the minority of them that get into conflict with people can get them a lot of hate. 'I wanted to get involved and see what I could do about it.' The former ecological consultant aims to 're-establish a balanced relationship between humans and gulls through education and engagement'. Patrick Safford, 24, is set to teach people in Eyemouth, Scotland how to have better interactions and 'avoid conflict' with seagulls Mr Safford says seagulls get an unfairly negative reputation, stating: 'They're really interesting, because they're really intelligent and adaptable' This includes sharing key information with visitors about gulls like 'the importance of not feeding them, how to behave to avoid conflict and conservation issues'. Mr Safford has criticised deterrents like fake predators, netting and spikes, believing them to be ineffective due to seagulls' adaptable natures. He said: 'Deterrents are often ineffective. Gulls adapt to them. You'll often see around Eyemouth a deterrent, with gull chicks nesting next to it anyway. 'The fake predators, it takes them a short amount of time to realise they're not a threat to them, and spikes are a bit more effective but they're very expensive. 'It might work at a really small scale, but using deterrents at a large scale is so difficult. 'The educational side of how to coexist with the gulls is more the direction that it's going, and encouraging against culling.' He added that only 25 per cent of seagulls are actually bold enough to steal food.  Mr Safford advises to keep away from chicks to avoid gulls swooping down on them and should sit next to walls or awnings to break their flight paths to stop them stealing food. Members of the public have been advised not to leave food unattended when seagulls are nearby He also urges residents to avoid littering, and not to put rubbish in overfilled bins. The job is funded by Flora and Fauna International and running until August. The job ad for the position read: 'The conflict between gulls and people in coastal towns has become an issue that is prevalent in social and traditional media, and has become a political talking point. 'The Gull Ranger will be part of the public/visible arm of the BMR. The prime responsibility of the post will be to engage with local people and visitors about Gulls - the importance of not feeding them, how to behave to avoid conflict and conservation issues. 'We will also be conducting citizen science gull population surveys. The role will also involve engaging with local schools and community groups, attending local events and galas, being a community presence and point of contact and delivering awareness sessions.'