Work on the upcoming Wild Bird Declarations is ongoing. In the interim, I extended the existing Wild Bird Declarations by a period of three months up to the end of July 2022. This was to allow for the completion of the review of submissions received as part of the public consultation process, the receipt of legal advice and other internal discussions in relation to species (including urban gulls) included in the Declarations. I will arrange for my officials to provide the briefing note and recommendations given to me in advance of same, along with other supporting documentation.
The review of the derogation process prepared by Aniar Ecology in 2018, in consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department, was based on a number of surveys, data sources and publications and provided an estimate of trends for common breeding birds. Further scientific data will be collated through future studies. My Department has also received legal advice in relation to the Wild Bird Declarations and is reviewing same.
An individual may apply for a licence under Section 42 of the Wildlife Acts at any time of the year to take appropriate steps to stop serious damage being caused by a protected wild bird or animal. To date in 2022 my Department has received only one application for such a licence to remove a nest from a private residence.
I have raised the issue of urban gulls with the Minister for Health and have sought his views regarding same.