A letter asking residents of Murray Crescent in Lamlash to stop feeding the birds has ruffled more than a few feathers.
North Ayrshire Council’s environmental health service sent letters to about 20 residents following complaints that large birds were causing a noise nuisance and were leaving their droppings, causing a health risk. There are 79 houses in the crescent.
The letters ask for co-operation in limiting the amount of food people are placing outside for birds.
But one irate resident is refusing to stop feeding the birds.
Maureen Smith told the Banner: ‘The letter wasn’t even addressed to me but to the owner/occupier,’ she said.
‘We’ve been living here for 33 years and many others have been here that long as well. We like feeding the birds but I don’t really do it in summer, more in winter.
‘We get squirrels in our garden in winter but we don’t have seagulls in it. We have a covered table for the small birds and use proper feeders, so I am not going to stop feeding them.
‘There are pheasants about and that might be the noise.’
Complaints
Maureen said she had no idea who had complained.
An NAC spokesman said the letter was sent on June 24 to residents in Murray Crescent who it had been told regularly fed birds in their gardens.
‘We have received complaints that large birds, particularly seagulls, are causing a nuisance by their noise and droppings. In addition to the noise and fouling of cars and washing, uneaten leftover food can attract vermin to the area.
‘So we have asked for residents’ co-operation in limiting the amount of food they place outside for birds.
‘We also recommend that feeding should take place on a covered table which allows smaller birds access but which prevents larger birds feeding.
‘This is simply an appeal for common sense and we hope it will be sufficient to solve the problem. we have no plans to monitor the situation.’
Other residents in Murray Crescent were not available for comment.
