Freedom of Information Request - Seagull Nests
Date: 30 June 2025
Our ref: SIR180472/A5227531
Information Request – Seagull Nests
Your Request
1) How many licence applications have been submitted in EACH of the last three calendar years and so far this calendar year for the removal of seagull nests and eggs. If possible, please break the figures down to show any locality you can (i.e. council regions) for the applications.
2) Of the licence applications submitted in EACH of the last three calendar years and so far this calendar year for the removal of seagull nests and eggs, how many applications in each year and so far this year have been rejected? If possible, please break the figures down to show the reason for rejection.
Our Response
Following a search of the information we hold our response is attached separately.
Please note, a number of applications submitted each year were “withdrawn”. When an application is withdrawn from the system, all the information provided in that application is deleted in line with our retention policy and GDPR restrictions, therefore it is not possible to provide the locations for these applications. Below is the number of applications that were submitted but withdrawn for each of the three last calendar years and in 2025 so far.
Withdrawn Applications:
- 2022: 371
- 2023: 542
- 2024: 464
- 2025: 72
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
Document downloads
Due to accessibility issues the attached information, referenced above, is available on request by contacting the FOI team at [email protected]. Please reference the case number (starting with SIR).
