AS families across Wales head to the seaside for the bank holiday weekend, a national trade body is urging people to be wary of gulls as their egg-laying season gets underway.

During the breeding season, gulls have been known to launch attacks on people, says British Pest Control Association (BPCA).

After mating and nest-building in February and March, many gulls will be protecting nests and eggs towards the end of April and into May.

However, BPCA is also reminding people that avoiding gulls wherever possible is always the best course of action as interfering with wild birds, their eggs or nests could lead to prosecution.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 states that all wild birds and their eggs are protected, but people with the appropriate knowledge on licences, such as BPCA members, can take steps if the birds are causing a public health and safety concern.

Natalie Bungay, Technical Manager at BPCA, said: “We love British birds. All wild birds and their eggs are rightfully protected by law in the UK, so it is absolutely vital that holidaymakers, householders or business owners don’t interfere with them.

“However, gulls can pose a serious safety concern. They have been known to attack people unexpectedly, which can be a frightening experience, especially if they draw blood, which can occasionally happen.

“We often think of gulls as a coastal problem – which they can be in seaside towns where people have fed them regularly. But for some time now they have also been an increasing problem in towns and cities away from the coast too.”

Gulls can live for 25 to 30 years and many weigh around 1kg, with wingspans of around one metre.

Seaside visitors can try to avoid attracting gulls by ensuring picnic foods or chippy take-aways are kept covered or eaten out of sight of gulls where possible.

Nesting gulls can cause problems for homes and businesses both on the coast and inland, as well as at supermarkets and hospitals, as these buildings can offer ideal nesting sites which are difficult to access and proof.

Nests can clog gutters or chimneys, which may cause water overflows, or potential issues with carbon monoxide, as well as bringing a risk of secondary infestation from bird mites, ticks, fleas and beetles.

Properties are also at risk from bird droppings, which can carry some harmful bacteria and diseases, as well as even cause slips, trips and falls where they build up.

Natalie added: “Gulls are also protected by the law, so it really is important to seek professional help.

“BPCA members are trained in bird control and will be able to offer a management plan that will alleviate the issue.

“There are a variety of bird-proofing measures available, all of which will deter birds without causing them harm, and as gulls are large and heavy, any proofing measures need to be suitable for the job, very heavy duty and correctly installed by a professional.

“Bird prevention, proofing and control is a highly specialised area requiring specific equipment and techniques. Pest professionals are required to try all reasonably practicable non-lethal bird control methods before they consider lethal control.

“Always consult a BPCA member before considering any form of bird management. You could be prosecuted if you illegally interfere with a bird, its nest or eggs.”

BPCA members are trained, experienced professionals with access to a range of specialist products not available to the public, as well as being regularly assessed to the British Standard in Pest Management BS EN 16636.

BPCA members are also endorsed by the Government via the TrustMark quality scheme.

To find a professional pest controller visit bpca.org.uk/find

Joe Allen is one of Pembrokeshire’s most-famous sons. He has represented his country on 74 occasions and has also competed for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. The 34-year old is still plying his trade at Championship level for Swansea City, although his next move currently remains unclear. Allen is out of contract this summer and although he is keen to remain at the club, he admits that he is unlikely to be offered a new deal until the current campaign has concluded. 

Swansea are perfectly safe and cannot push for a play-off spot, so you’d expect the club to already be planning for the 2024-25 season, yet the club hasn’t necessarily excelled when it comes to future planning over the last few years. Manager Luke Williams is still relatively new to the job and he is likely to begin fully assessing his squad at the end of May. Allen is one of a number of players whose current deal expires this summer alongside veteran right-back Kyle Naughton and the inconsistent Jamie Paterson. 

Allen has featured regularly for the Swans this season, amassing 23 appearances (many of which came from off the bench), although he wasn’t involved throughout October and November whereas a recent groin and toe injury has limited his minutes throughout April. He admits that his recent fitness issues have made him consider his calling time on his distinguished playing career, however, he believes that he still has plenty to offer and he remains committed to making a difference on the pitch. His latest injury setback has come at a bad time, although he remains relatively confident of continuing his stint at the club. 

Williams prefers to play a possession-style and is believed to be an admirer of Allen’s tidiness on the ball. The former Notts County boss will be keen to keep some experience in the squad with many of the older heads having departed at the end of last season. 

If cutting ties with the club this summer, Allen may opt to drop down the pyramid with newly-promoted Wrexham likely to be searching for an experienced core to enable them to thrive in League One. The midfielder spent a short spell on loan at the Racecourse Ground in 2008, although the club has changed beyond recognition over the last few seasons. The Red Dragons, who are owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny are likely to be one of the favourites for promotion once the League One outright odds are released by the bookmakers this summer and with many online betting sites heavily promoting their betting offers for new customers at the start of each season, they are likely to be a popular pick for punters to achieve back-to-back promotions. 

Unlike Wrexham, the Swans are unlikely to be touted for promotion next season, although they may be able to challenge for the play-offs if Luke Williams is given a competitive budget and is able to retain key players such as Matt Grimes, Oli Cooper and Ben Cabango. 

Coaching may also be an option for the midfielder, who is widely respected within the game. Having recently chalked up his 200th appearance for the club, he would surely be in pole position for a coaching role alongside Williams should he wish to hang up his boots anytime soon. Allen joined the club at the age of 10 and was a key component in helping the club reach the Premier League and there is a possibility that the club will look to create a pathway for him to earn his coaching badges whilst working with the current squad. 

Some players opt to completely step away from football upon retirement and Allen isn’t short of hobbies and interests. He is an ambassador for the Welsh charity Action on Hearing Loss Cymru and having received a cockerel for his 24th birthday, he has been a keen keeper of a smallholding and his flock has grown exponentially over the last decade. Although he may enjoy spending more time with his chickens once his playing career has run its course, he is likely to still be involved in the beautiful game at some level. 

Joe Allen’s career has been a largely successful one and although he’s had a few recent setbacks, he will always be fondly remembered by fans of both Swansea and the Welsh National team. If he hasn’t done enough to earn himself a new deal in SA1, he has plenty of options and is unlikely to be short of potential suitors. 

RWE has announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art green hydrogen facility next to the Pembroke Power Station.

The proposed project will see the construction of a 110 MWe electrolyser plant capable of producing approximately two tonnes of hydrogen per hour, a cleaner alternative energy source that promises to significantly reduce carbon emissions in the area.

Starting Monday, RWE will open a pre-application consultation, inviting local residents and stakeholders to share their insights and opinions on the plans. This consultation period will conclude on 20 May 2024. Interested parties are encouraged to review the details and submit their feedback online, ensuring community input is integrated into the development process.

The hydrogen produced at the Pembroke Green Hydrogen plant will serve as a vital component in reducing reliance on fossil fuels for local industries, substituting them with a cleaner option that produces only oxygen as a by-product. With the capacity to cut approximately 93,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually—equivalent to removing 18,600 cars from the road—the facility aligns with the UK Government’s target of achieving 6 GW of green hydrogen production by 2030.

Richard Little, Director of the Pembroke Net Zero Centre, emphasized the importance of local support for the initiative: “To secure the future of industry in South Wales, and safeguard local jobs, we need to provide clean energy alternatives, locally. Our proposals for green hydrogen generation will do just that, helping to reduce CO2 emissions in local industrial activities by approximately 93,000 tonnes every year.”

RWE’s vision for the Pembroke Net Zero Centre, where the plant will be located, includes a diverse array of sustainable technologies, such as battery energy storage systems and floating offshore wind. The development is expected to bolster Pembrokeshire’s economy by preserving existing jobs and creating new opportunities through the construction and operational phases of the project.

Community members are invited to contact the project team, provide feedback via the project website, or arrange private discussions to further understand the project’s scope and impacts. This consultation offers a crucial opportunity for residents to influence a project that stands to reshape the region’s industrial landscape while advancing towards a sustainable future.

RWE, the UK’s largest power producer and a leader in renewable energy generation, continues to expand its green hydrogen capabilities across the country, targeting 2GW of electrolyser capacity in its core markets by 2030.