Gull Management in Worcester – Annual Summary and Approach
Under licence from Natural England, Worcester Regulatory Services (WRS) undertakes targeted gull management work across Worcester city and surrounding areas to protect public health and safety.
2025 Activity Summary
During the 2025 season:
- Lesser black-backed gulls: 170 nests were removed and 345 eggs were destroyed. Two chicks were safely captured and transferred to Vale Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
- Herring gulls: 14 nests were removed and 28 eggs were destroyed.
Most activity was focused within Worcester city centre, alongside key locations including schools in the Barbourne and Henwick areas, as well as riverside, quarry, and Diglis locations.
Why This Work Is Carried Out
All work is conducted in line with licence conditions to preserve public health and/or public safety, primarily due to:
- Health issues caused or exacerbated by persistent gull noise
- Targeted aggression from nesting gulls, including swooping and attacks on pedestrians
In some cases, such as Bromyard Terrace, chicks were removed where aggressive behaviour from adult gulls posed a direct risk to members of the public.
Current Approach
In recent years, WRS has adopted a more preventative, long-term approach. Following nest removal, affected areas are gull-proofed to reduce the likelihood of birds returning to nest in the same locations.
This approach:
- Prevents repeated nesting in high-risk urban areas
- Encourages gulls to relocate to more suitable environments
- Improves safety for the public
- Supports better outcomes for gulls in terms of appropriate nesting sites and behaviours
Looking Ahead
This work will continue throughout 2026, with a focus on maintaining public safety while ensuring all activity remains compliant with licence requirements and promotes responsible wildlife management across Worcester.
For further information, please contact Worcester Regulatory Services.