Starling Problem

[Dean Lofthouse]

I think some of you have hit the nail on the head, it should be resident control not bird control.

 

I am going to have to research the legality side of things, maybe a knock on the door of the complaining residents explaining the birds are protected ??

 

I think moving the roost on electronically is the way forward, but the are another two areas of confir onsite large enough to accomodate the birds and these also have residents on the other side

 

It is quite a big headache.

[Dean Lofthouse]

Just read this:

 

Legal aspects

 

All wild birds and their eggs and nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; under this Act birds cannot be taken or killed, nor their eggs or nests (when in use or being built) be taken or destroyed except under licence.

However, it is recognised that a number of common ‘pest’ species (e.g. feral pigeons, starlings, house sparrows, herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls) may frequently cause problems. Defra issues a number of general licences which allow authorised persons (e.g. an owner or occupier) to kill or take these ‘pest’ species using certain specified methods (e.g. shooting or cage trapping). The licences also allow the removal or destruction of these species' eggs (e.g. using egg oiling) or nests. Nests not being built or not in use are not protected under the 1981 Act and may be removed or destroyed at any time. Action is permitted under these general licences to prevent the spread of disease, and for the purpose of preserving public health or public or air safety.

 

From here:http://www.hastings.gov.uk/animal_nuisance/bird_control.aspx

[Zenfordinner]

Radio 4 had a programme on recently regarding the problem of Starlings (if I remember correctly) nesting in trees in an urban area of France. The amount of bird droppings generated was immense, apparently, so the solution they used was repeated applications within the area of the recorded sounds of the same species (I am pretty sure it was the same species, although I was only partially listening,as I was cooking at the time). It is supposed to have worked- they move along and nest elsewhere.

 

We have used bird scarers, mainly a glittery ribbon, which was tied to various trees. All of the trees in this case were broadleaves so I do not know if it is plausible with dense Conifers. Also, the CD's that Mr. Collins suggested are alos quite effective.There is also a humming wire that I have not tried but have been considering using at home.

[Dean Lofthouse]

Been up tonight to see how bad the problem is. It literally rains bird muck when they fly over which in five or so minutes covered my car in it.

 

I took up a blank firing pistol and waited till they committed to roost then a bit longer so they ran out of available light and shot the pistol to put them up. I drove along the conifer fairly fast letting off six shots.

 

Waited five minutes then every time they tried to come back in to roost is drove along again. As the light faided they got to desperation and flew right past me and roosted whether I was there or not.

 

The main bulk of them just relocated to the other conifers on site and out of an estimated 2000 birds I reckon only 10 percent roosted where I was in desperation.

 

It was an experiment to see how they reacted, I reckon it would take a team of men up to 10 nights before they were put off and reroosted somewhere else and by the time that happened the residents would be fed up of blanks being fired.

 

The shite on the carpark alone is quite a lot and being a food process plant I would say it is a major hazard, I will speak to the powers that be tomorrow.

 

Piccies not that good because it was taken with phone but you can make the birds out, there was three or four large swarms just before roost time but they arrived in parcels of around 50 birds till eventually there were thousands. I was trying to wait till they grouped into one big swarm but it didn't happen, I have some better piccies on my canon 10d but am having problems downloading them

 

I think now the electronic distress call designed to scare them away from roost is going to be the way forward.

[Theocus]

channel 1 just had a great documentary on the starlings, prob be able to watch it on bbc iplayer. Highlights the problems on this thread. 9 oclock.

[Dean Lofthouse]

I'll look for that cheers.

 

I never noticed before but you an actually see the bird droppings on the tarmac in front of the car and that is out of the flight line

[Theocus]

Well it was quoted on this programme in rome, a flock of 1 million birds produces either 1 or 10 tonnes of sh!&e a night!!! (i wasnt listening to well at that point!). It is a real hse problem out there.

[Ian C]

Dean, thats a cracking pic of Mrs lofthouse, you lucky man you:001_tt1:

[fred bassett]

Try this site http://www.scaringbirds.com the flashing hawkeye looks as though it might suit your needs.

[fred bassett]

This site may be of use http://www.birdcontrol.net