Why Sunderland's seagulls are being watched - like a hawk

He has been recruited by Sunderland City Council to patrol Mowbray Park, Market Square and High Street four times a week.

Horatio is an “employee” of North East Falconry, which specialises in bird pest control. Sunderland City Council says it receives dozens of complaints each year about aggressive seagulls causing a nuisance in the city centre.

Horatio will be flying free but, due to his training, he is unlikely to actually attack seagulls or pigeons.

North East Falconry owner and experienced falconer, Glen Purves, said: “It’s to deter pigeons feeding and to keep seagulls away from the city centre as well. It’s mainly seagulls - the gull species. We try to prevent them from attacking people and stealing food.

“None of our birds are trained specifically for hunting. We train them so they’re focused on us for their food. They’re trained to return to us for small pieces of food.

“Because he’s a hawk he is a natural predator. Just his presence is enough to make gulls uncomfortable. Then they rise up and disperse.

"The birds we use are not bred to hunt so there is no real danger to the gulls.

"All the actions are a humane deterrent and not intended for the gulls to be attacked or harmed. The hawk simply scares the seagulls and encourages them to choose somewhere else to nest."

Councillor Amy Wilson, the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: "The gulls are a protected species, but they can be a nuisance for a lot of people and visitors.

"When the weather is nice, and people want to visit a city centre attraction such as Mowbray Park, it's a shame it can be ruined by the gulls. I know a lot of residents, traders and visitors who will be pleased to hear these hawks are making a difference.

"However, I would like to remind residents and businesses that they can also help deter gulls by not feeding birds and disposing of food waste appropriately."