When sleep-deprived residents were told of new licences to have seagulls' nests removed from outside their homes, they did not expect any fowl play. But their joy was short-lived when they found out the troublesome birds' nests could not be removed without a doctor's note. A new gull licence, being trialled by councils in Bath and Worcester, requires the public to prove they have requested help from a GP before gull control officers can take any action. Residents have been told salmonella-ridden gull faeces and sleep-deprivation are not acceptable public health reasons for the nests' removal without a medical note.