Fears raised over danger of ‘rogue’ maas aggressively defending their territory

A herring gull.

Concerns have been raised about “rogue” maas behaving aggressively towards people in Lerwick.

Lerwick Community Council member Brian Harris raised the issue on behalf of a town resident at last night’s (Tuesday) meeting.

“This isn’t about the general nuisance of gulls raiding bins or trying to steal people’s chips,” he said.

“It is about a small number of individual rogue birds that are particularly aggressive and, in his opinion, causing a danger of injury.

“They nest on roofs and are very aggressive in defencing their territory.”

Lerwick South member Dennis Leask said he had been made aware of similar troubles last year involving a maa attacking people in the street near to the Gilbert Bain Hospital.

Several councillors suggested getting the nest removed, which was previously a service provided by the council.

However, Mr Harris said the nests were not on property owned by the person who had complained to him – and the birds were attacking people in the wider area.

Chairman Jim Anderson said the council would write on the complainer’s behalf to the SIC’s environmental health team and Nature Scotland to enquire what could be done.