New survey will count urban gulls in Inverness

Gulls are to be counted in Inverness to help Highland Council better understand the size of the population and where they nest and forage.

Like other parts of Scotland, there have been complaints about the birds' droppings, noisy calls, dive bombing and raiding rubbish bins.

Gulls, like all wild birds, are protected by law but measures can be taken to discourage them from nesting in certain areas.

Highland Council has appointed a consultancy to carry out the survey to help it develop future gull management plans.

The count is taking place during May when gulls are nesting and most active in the city.

The survey area covers more than two square miles (5 sq km) of central Inverness.

It includes Longman Industrial Estate, Crown Circus and the riverside.

An additional 20 buildings, including schools, across the wider city are also to be surveyed.

Scotland's nature agency, NatureScot, is supporting the council's study.

It has strict rules on managing urban gulls where they are deemed to be causing problems.

NatureScot said nets, spikes and wires discouraged birds from nesting on roofs.

Removing nesting material before the breeding season is also advised.

The agency said a licence to kill chicks or adult gulls would only be issued as a very last resort.

It said there would have to be a clear health and safety risk for this to happen - such as gulls dive bombing vulnerable people, or droppings affecting food processing.

Before the nesting season, a bird of prey was used to scare away gulls from Inverness city centre.

Inverness Business Improvement District (Bid) arranged for Angel, a four-year-old gyrfalcon, to fly three times a week between March and April.