Aberdeen have revealed a string of measures the club are taking to combat high numbers of seagulls on match days after pressure from fans to tackle the problem.
The club released a statement explaining they are well aware of the issue irritating spectators. Among the action being taken is a specialist company hired to eradicate nests within the stadium, and a hawk deployed to patrol Pittodrie before opening the doors to fans on match days.
The club have also installed a “system which distributes various distress calls from different birds to act as a deterrent” in an effort to deter the “very intelligent birds”, but despite all this the club’s avian invasion persists.
The statement read: “Aberdeen FC has adopted a strong policy regarding the city-wide problem with seagulls. The club has employed for the past few seasons now a fully licensed company who specialise in eradicating and controlling these birds. This company have been taking care of the nests and eggs three times a week to keep the birds controlled.
“Currently Aberdeen FC has no nesting in and around the actual stadium buildings. However, we cannot control this out with our boundary and birds are nesting in and around the flats around the stadium.
“We continue to have a hawk flying during the week at Pittodrie and also an hour before doors open on match days. In addition to this, last year we installed an automatic audible warning system which distributes various distress calls from different birds to act as a deterrent. For obvious reasons we cannot fly birds of prey during games.
“Seagulls are very intelligent birds and will always gather where a large crowd of people are and where food is consumed so we would urge all fans to take care and use the bins provided for unwanted food which will assist in controlling the seagulls.
“Aberdeen FC will continue to do all we can to combat this issue and ensure the match-day experience is a positive one for Dons supporters.”
