Gulls, like all wild birds, have long been protected by law.

But last February, NatureScot, made the rules around controlling gulls stricter.

Gulls, along with other sea birds, have been falling in numbers.

RSPB says the UK’s gull population has declined by more than 60% since 1970, with overfishing and climate change among the suspected causes.

Bird flu has also claimed thousands of sea birds, including gulls.

Measures local authorities can use to control urban gulls when they become a problem include removing old nesting material.

Also using bird scaring devices such as spikes and reflective material to discourage gulls from nesting on roofs.

A trained bird of prey patrolled the skies above Inverness earlier this year as part of efforts to scare away gulls from parts of the city.

Inverness Business Improvement District (Bid) arranged for Angel, a four-year-old gyrfalcon, to fly over the city centre for about three times a week between March and April.