Introducing the Gull Ranger Role
The job title "gull ranger" is likely to attract attention if seen advertised locally. This unique position is being created by a charity dedicated to protecting habitats and species along the Borders coastline, aiming to address the ongoing "conflict" between humans and gulls.
The Berwickshire Marine Reserve (BMR), which covers the coastal area between the fishing towns of Eyemouth and St Abbs, is seeking to appoint a gull ranger for the summer months.
Why the Role is Needed
Eyemouth has recently been in the spotlight due to issues involving gulls, a situation common in various parts of Scotland. In 2024, reports emerged of several children being injured by swooping herring gulls in the town. This led to discussions around implementing a by-law to ban feeding the birds, though opinions remain divided on whether this is the best solution.
Meanwhile, the BMR, a conservation charity, has secured funding from Flora and Fauna International to employ a dedicated gull ranger from June through August this year.
Responsibilities and Community Engagement
Lauren Nieuwenhuys, the BMR's education and engagement officer, explained the primary focus of the role.
"The gull ranger role will primarily be community engagement,"
"The successful candidate will be out and about in the town of Eyemouth and the surrounding areas speaking to locals and visitors about gulls."
The ranger will also aim to educate the public on why gulls have moved into urban areas and encourage simple behavioural changes to reduce conflict.
"They also hope to explain why the birds have moved into urban areas and encourage people to make 'small and easy changes to their behaviour' to help avoid conflict,"
Key examples include discouraging people from feeding gulls and promoting proper disposal of food waste.
Additionally, the ranger will conduct citizen science surveys to obtain accurate data on the number of gulls nesting in Eyemouth and identify gull activity hotspots.
"The ranger will also be conducting citizen science surveys to try to get an accurate picture of the number of gulls nesting in Eyemouth town, and to identify any hotspots of gull activity,"
Local Impact and Public Debate
Eyemouth has experienced several incidents over recent years where gulls have taken food from people and, in some cases, caused injuries. This issue has gained national attention and become a topic of political discussion.
"There have been a number of incidents over the last few years in Eyemouth, where gulls have taken food from people and on occasion caused injury.
This has quickly become not only a local issue but is widely discussed and reported nationally and has become a talking point for politicians."
Newenhuys noted that conversations around gulls can become "quite heated," with some advocating for conservation and others viewing the birds as pests.
"The conversation could sometimes become 'quite heated' between those who advocate conservation and those who 'see them as a pest'.
Through the gull ranger position and wider project, we hope to raise awareness and change perceptions of gulls, finding solutions to allow us to live alongside this iconic coastal bird,"
she added.
Community Reactions and Support
The job advertisement has sparked some humorous responses on social media. For instance, Euan Gibson joked,
"If that's a position for just one person, are we allowed to call them The Lone Ranger?"
Another user quipped about expecting a "gull-den handshake" upon leaving the role.
Karen McKone, a resident of nearby Ayton who grew up in Eyemouth and frequently cares for injured birds in the area, welcomed the new position.
"I was very happy to hear that this has been funded,"
"I feel educating the community on gull behaviour can have a positive impact on the welfare of the gulls and the awareness of the general public on how best to deal with the nesting season and summer months when footfall is higher."
