Norwich City Council looking at new way to curb pigeons at market
The local authority has ditched plans to feed the birds contraceptives- as it's not allowed in the UK
Decision-makers in Norwich say they're looking at new way to control growing numbers of pigeons at the City's market
The local authority has ditched feeding the birds contraceptives- as it's not allowed in the UK.
It's after a trial using hawks to scare them away was unsuccessful.
Officials want to reduce the number of pigeons congregating at the market and war memorial opposite City Hall, as their droppings are damaging the site and are causing a nuisance to market traders and customers.
But after investigating the idea, Norwich City Council cabinet for major projects, Carli Harper, said it would not be possible to do so as this method is not currently licensed in the UK.
Contraceptives for pigeons have been trialled elsewhere in the UK and they have proved successful in reducing populations in European cities, such as Brussels and Barcelona.
While putting pigeons on birth control is not possible currently, officials are continuing to explore other humane control options.
One possible solution being explored is ‘egg swapping’, which would involve switching eggs with fake eggs.
The method tricks parents into continuing to incubate the eggs, without laying new ones.
This prevents new generations from being born while allowing the pigeons to continue their natural nesting behaviour without stress.
"It's definitely the way forwards and I'm glad that Norwich City Council are thinking about this"
Jenny Coupland is from 'Peck-Savers'- a group feeding pigeons on Norwich market:
"There's been work published which shows that 'egg-swapping schemes' reduce pigeon numbers by 50%.
"It's definitely the way forwards and I'm glad that Norwich City Council are thinking about this.
"We won't opposed a ban if that's what the Council wants, so long as they set up a designated bird-feeding area over at Chapelfield Gardens.
"I really do this would be a fair response. We may disagree about pigeons, but we do clearly agree on moving this flock. So let's work together".
Norwich City Council is pursuing ways of controlling the birds after feedback from traders and market customers, who wanted to see action taken to curb their numbers.
A falconer was brought in last year for a trial to see if hawks could scare off the pigeons.
But people fond of the pigeons began feeding them “industrial quantities of seed,” according to the council.
Following this, councillors voted to introduce fines for people feeding the birds.
Ms Harper said: “The main issue remains that the single most effective thing would be for people to stop feeding them next to the market, which concentrates pigeons in one area.”