Flying squad set to tackle pigeons' poo

nlnews@archant.co.uk
17 January 2007

BATTLEGROUND – The Shire Estate Picture: Tony Gay

HAWKS are being hired to scare off pigeons from an estate blighted by bird poo.

The birds of prey will circle over Shires Estate, in Cavendish Road, Edmonton, to intimidate pigeons which are leaving their mess over homes and play areas.

Menace: pigeon ""mess everywhere

Enfield Council has hired a falconry firm which specialises in controlling vermin.

Five Harris Hawks will patrol the blocks, where conditions have become smelly and dangerous because of nesting birds.

Solution? Harris hawk

Resident Bernadette Beaupierre said: "The pigeons have been a real concern. There is bird mess everywhere.

"If the falcons work, I will be glad for them to come. We have had a meeting and one woman said she had had an eye operation which hadn't healed properly, and the doctor had said it was down to the conditions here.

"The problem is not helped by some older residents, who think they should feed the pigeons."

The firm hired by the council was set up two years ago by Angela Bigwood.

Ms Bigwood said that five hawks will fly over the estate for five days during the first week of the operation, then three days during the second week, and then one day a week for the remainder of the 12-week programme.

She said: "They have an extensive problem on Shires Estate. We need to stop the pigeons from nesting there.

"The idea is not to kill the pigeons but to keep disturbing them. Eventually they'll go somewhere else'.

Ms Bigwood will be on site to commandeer the hawks, which are trained to recognise birds such as pigeons and other pests.

She said she had never had any safety issues in her time as a falconer, and added that residents became fond of the birds.

"The hawks will land on some balconies and ledges. Residents find it thrilling to see a hawk perched on their window."

Councillor Matthew Lamban, cabinet member for housing, said the council had been concerned with the pigeon problem and residents had helped the council come to a decision.

However, the Pigeon Control Advisory Service is against the use of hawks.

Emma Haskell, spokeswoman for the organisation, said: "We don't agree with the use of hawks and they are not the natural predator of the pigeon. That is the peregrine falcon, but they are an endangered species.

"It is also very expensive to hire the hawks. Whatever the case, this is a bloodsport and people should be aware of that.