Pigeons beware as hawks patrol the sky

‘Pigeons beware’ is the clarion call of a team of five Harris hawks as they soar across the Edmonton skies on a 12 - week mission to clear hundreds of pigeons that are nesting on the Shires estate just off the A406.

Nesting birds are damaging the fabric of the buildings causing slippery, smelly conditions on the upper floors of the tower blocks. This is a safety slip hazard as well as being extremely unhygienic.

Cllr Matthew Laban, cabinet member for housing, said, ”We have been concerned about this problem for some time and needed a solution. A resident inspection group noted the worsening condition of the estate caused by the pigeons and this helped us to take the appropriate action.

“The hawks are a natural way to prevent pigeons continuing to inhabit the estate. In order to ensure that our programme is successful we have a planned programme organised NBC Bird Solutions, a recognised company who are expert in these operations.”

Before hawk flying starts on Monday 22nd January, the council is carrying out an intensive cleaning programme of stairwells and walkways, disinfecting particularly slippery and foul smelling areas and removing all pigeon detritus. A pigeon count is also being made.

The initial 12 weeks of hawk flying is a trial period. It is not expected that the pigeons will vacate the site completely and that this is only the start of a sustained hawk flying campaign to keep the pigeons at bay.

NBC Bird Solutions’ falconer and professional bird controller, Angela Bigwood, said, ”We have developed our hawk flying programme over 14 years and we know that it works. Our intention is not to kill the pigeons, but to drive them away.

“We start by flying our hawks for five consecutive days in the first week. This is followed with a gradual reduction to three days in the second week, two days in the third week and then just one day a week – until 12 weeks are complete.

“The sight of birds of prey disturbs the pigeons’ behaviour and they eventually move on. However, for this operation to bring continued success hawks will need to fly at least once a week as part of the council’s regular maintenance programme.”

Cllr Laban, adds, “We will need the cooperation of all residents on the estate in defeating this pest problem. Pigeons can be discouraged if people do not leave any food for them.

“If we are to maintain the good work that we have started with the hawks, it is vitally important that everybody takes a responsible attitude towards the pigeons and resists feeding them.”

Angela Bigwood, said, ”Pigeons not only make buildings unclean, they also carry a range of diseases that can infect people and they also carry mites and other insects that can spread through an area.”

Diseases such as salmonellosis, tuberculosis, ornithosis, histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis are all carried by pigeons and can be very unpleasant if human beings become infected.

Leading hawk, Arrow, likes nothing better than roving the skies chasing away the pests. Four other hawks are joining him on the Edmonton mission.

Residents will be introduced to Arrow and his team at a special event where they can ask questions, meet the handlers and find out what to expect when the programme starts.

Cllr Laban, concludes, “This will make a huge difference to life on the Shires estate. The hawks are specially trained for this work. I hope that everyone will also get some pleasure from seeing these magnificent birds patrolling our skies and ridding our estates from the pigeon pests.”

This document was last updated on 2007-01-11 12:31:31 published by the Communications team. Document Reference:LBE_127744