A fresh look at one of Inverness’s most familiar — and often controversial — residents is now underway, as a major gull study sweeps across the heart of the city.
Commissioned by The Highland Council with support from NatureScot, the research is being carried out by an independent consultancy aiming to establish a detailed picture of the local gull population during its most active time of year.
The study, taking place throughout May, has been carefully timed to coincide with the start of the nesting season, when gull numbers surge and their behaviour is most noticeable.
From the banks of the River Ness to rooftops across the city centre, the surveyors will be logging each sighting and movement of gulls using mobile mapping software to record locations and behaviour in fine detail.
The area being covered stretches across more than five square kilometres, from Bught Park in the south to the Kessock Bridge in the north, including well-known landmarks such as Eden Court Theatre, Inverness Cathedral, Inverness Castle and Ness Walk.
Shoppers, commuters and visitors to places like the Longman Industrial Estate and Crown Circus might also spot the team as they go about their work, quietly observing everything from gulls nesting on buildings to birds foraging along the riverside.
Councillor Ian Brown, Leader of Inverness and Area, welcomed the initiative, noting that although the Council is not legally obliged to act on gull activity, it recognises the growing concerns and aims to use this study to inform any future management strategy.
“This is about gathering the facts,” he said.
“We hope the results will help guide the development of a Gull Management Plan for the city, so we can make thoughtful, informed decisions that balance the needs of people and nature.”
As part of the effort, researchers will also inspect 20 key sites beyond the immediate city centre, including buildings in the Council’s school estate, to build a wider view of where and how gulls are making their homes in Inverness.
The methodology follows adapted guidance from the UK-wide Urban Gull Census, part of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s Seabird Monitoring Programme, ensuring the findings can be understood and compared in a broader conservation context.
While gulls may divide opinion — some love their raucous presence, others dread their territorial cries — there’s no doubt they are part of the city’s character, and their behaviour can offer useful insights into the health of our shared urban environment.
For those keen to learn more about local gulls, additional information is available on the Highland Council’s website
