North Walsham pigeons to be culled
By Alex Hurrell , Reporter
Friday, April 8, 2011
11:02 AM
A pigeon cull is about to get underway as North Walsham launches its deadliest weapon to date against the town’s most unwanted residents, dubbed health hazards and nuisances.
Traps are due to be set at strategic points around the town centre and caught birds will be killed.
The move follows years of attempts to reduce the number of pigeons in Market Place where they roost in disused shops, gather on ledges and foul large areas of pavement with droppings and feathers – but people are still feeding them.
In October 2008 town councillors arranged for a Harris hawk to fly through the town centre early one morning in a bid to scare away the pigeons. But they could not afford the estimated £20,000 cost of repeating the experiment twice a week for a year.
Environmental health staff from North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) will carry out the cull, which is due to begin later this month, with the backing of North Walsham Town Council.
James Wilson, NNDC’s environmental protection team leader, said: “The traps will be checked two or three times a day and the pigeons will be humanely destroyed in accordance with current best practice methods and all applicable legal requirements.”
He estimated that the pigeon population was in the hundreds and said the aim was to reduce numbers within the built area of Market Place where most of the problems were caused. Birds roosting in the ruined church tower will not be targeted. A cull carried out in the 1990s in Cromer was deemed a success, Mr Wilson added.
NNDC is writing to all Market Place businesses telling them about control measures taken to date and asking those who have not already proofed their buildings against pigeons to do so, using spikes or netting.
Particular hot-spots are:
* Coral’s bookmaker’s: Mr Wilson said the pigeons were “enjoying” hanging on to netting put there to discourage them
* 4 Market Street: the owners had tried to pigeon-proof the demolished building but the weather had destroyed their work. They would try again
* former Market Place fishmongers: it had been closed at the rear but the pigeons had found their way in. It has now been closed again
* Broadland Travel and Break charity shop: promises to proof both buildings had not yet been carried out. The ledge above the Break shop is now one of the worst for pigeons in the town
Mr Wilson said pigeons carried many diseases and their acidic droppings reacted with chemicals in stonework causing erosion. A build-up of droppings could also become infested with mites and insects which could then enter homes and stored products. Pigeons blocked gutters, downpipes and chimneys, which could cause water damage to properties, or lead to gasses such as deadly carbon monoxise being forced back inside a home.
He added: “Large numbers of roosting pigeons also give rise to odour and noise complaints, not to mention the risk to health and safety in terms of slipping hazards on pavements and fire escapes from accumulations of droppings.”
Mr Wilson is also going to investigate possible sites for posting notices asking the public not to feed pigeons after reports of crumbs being deliberately scattered around the Market Cross and suet balls left on ledges outside Market Place flats, discovered when members of the Christmas lights team were on ladders putting up displays.
Eric Seward, NNDC’s cabinet portfolio holder for the environment and a North Walsham town councillor, said the cull was only one of a number of preventative measures aimed at controlling the problem, but none of them would make it disappear.
* Pavements in Market Place, Market Street and Church Street are due to be steam-cleaned this Sunday as part of North Walsham Town Council’s efforts to spruce up the town.
And volunteers are needed to help with the town’s annual spring clean, on April 15, from 10am to 12.30pm, meeting at the town hall on New Road.
Plastic gloves and sacks will be provided but those taking part are invited to bring their own tools for helping clear litter and weeds from areas not cleaned by North Norfolk District Council.
Town councillors heard at their meeting last week that a writer from the Rough Guides series of travel books would be staying in North Walsham on April 18 and they hoped the steam and spring clean would help the town look its best.
The company’s series includes a Rough Guide to England, a Rough Guide to Accessible Britain, plus regional titles, but a spokesman was unable to say why their writer would be in the town.
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44 comments
Mr.T. The reason you don't see chickens and ducks running about now is because we live in a society now where they would finish up in the oven.The council where I live could see the problems coming as far as pidgeons were concerned 20 yrs.ago and took the action as described by the pest cotroller.It is against the law to feed pidgeons and people have been fined.Blame the council,not the pidgeons.They could have taken action years ago when the problem first arose.
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john kendall
Friday, April 15, 2011
Mr Pest Control has hit the whole point of these comments very well. Anything that creates a health hazard or a nuisance we naturally eliminate, if we didn’t every house in the country would be overrun with flies or mice. I live in the country and as such accept the fact we have pigeons and other vermin, part of country life. The issue here is these pigeons are in a residential area and as such are a health hazard. The people who seem to think it is nice to “Feed the birds” are probably those who just pop into town and do not have to suffer the mess these things make. In the countryside it degrades and tends to be confined to areas where pedestrians and children do not often go. It is not a matter of “Hate”, just the point of having things in the right place, why do we still not allow chickens and ducks etc to just wander about, after all they may have been there before use humans!
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Mr T
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Where is the logic in your statement Mr.T.If you hate these creatures so much,why do you live there?.Gulls were there before you.I watch the squirrels raid the magpies nests who in turn raid the blackbirds nests.What do we do cull them all.That is nature.There are far more suitable control devices the council could use in place of culling.
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john kendall
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Mr T, Why not cull all the birds that create the dawn chorus at this time of year?
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John L Norton
Thursday, April 14, 2011
I agree it is a shame a cull has to take place of feral pigeons (Columba livia). However, feral pigeon removal in areas like Norwich and North Walsham would not need to take place if no one fed the birds in the first place. I'm afraid to say it is a conflict of interest when pigeon 'lovers' feed them - however tempting it is. All these 'good' intentions just result in even more pigeons (they breed all year round). You feed them...that's right, they breed again etc, etc. Speaking as a professional Norfolk pest controller at Express Pest Control, we do not cull any birds. We recommend proofing of buildings to keep them off ledges and sills. When seen feeding feral pigeons, the public should be educated in Norwich or North Walsham (and elsewhere) that feeding them will mean more pigeon suffering in the long term - hence this cull. Also, litter needs to be strictly controlled. A cull should really be the last option. Unfortunately, NNDC are responsible for public safety (slips, falls, infections, cleaning etc) regarding this issue - unless someone else would like to accept responsibility? Not me! At least NNDC had the foresight to react, unlike some other local councils in this cash-strapped age. One last thought. We removed 5 tonnes of pigeon droppings, flies, maggots, dead pigeons, eggs etc from a roof in Dereham recently. Any takers?
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Express Pest Control
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Surely our challenge as we evolve is to find caring, not killing, solutions to issues? Our world has so many major crises, why target and scapegoat yet another species that has shared and helped our history? There is too much to say in favour of pigeons as individuals and groups. When given the chance they are shown to be intelligent, communicative, gentle, brave, clean, comedic, loving, monogamous and trying to survive like the rest of us. More education, enquiring minds and good hearts are needed for this and other issues where to kill and eliminate is the first knee-jerk response. Besides the many good stories, they have and are still being subjected to horrendous cruelty by humans who deliberately breed them for so called ‘shooting sport’. Stopping this would be a better cause, not only to be kinder to pigeons but to improve the human psyche, use of time, energy and resources towards making the world better for all inhabitants, irrespective of species, race, gender, politics, religion etc. It is up to us to improve and create not destroy and kill. Is it possible we can feed them birth control along with healthy feeding? The joy of seeing and hearing healthy free flying birds is one thing that gives us hope of a better world for all. It is the responsibility of our species to move in that direction. Life would be so much sadder without the interaction, feeding and companionship of many birds including our humble but not inglorious pigeon.
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SDMA
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Aren't you all glad that the pigeons are civilized enough not to decide to cull the people in North Walsham? After all, people are a terrible danger to pigeons, in addition to being a nuisance. It's a shame that so-called "humanity" can't learn to co-exist with those of whom it's not terribly fond, rather than killing everyone who bothers anyone.
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Sue Verner
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Dear pigeon lovers, whatever breed they are doesn't matter, they are a vermin and pest, and yes we should also cull the gulls to stop them taking over, try sleeping anywhere near Lowestoft harbour and you will see just how much of a pest they are.
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Mr T
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
I agree it is a shame a cull has to take place of feral pigeons (Columba livia). However, feral pigeon removal in areas like Norwich and North Walsham would not need to take place if no one fed the birds in the first place. I'm afraid to say it is a conflict of interest when pigeon 'lovers' feed them - however tempting it is. All these 'good' intentions just result in even more pigeons (they breed all year round). You feed them...that's right, they breed again etc, etc. Speaking as a professional Norfolk pest controller at Express Pest Control, we do not cull any birds. We recommend proofing of buildings to keep them off ledges and sills. When seen feeding feral pigeons, the public should be educated in Norwich or North Walsham (and elsewhere) that feeding them will mean more pigeon suffering in the long term - hence this cull. Also, litter needs to be strictly controlled. A cull should really be the last option. Unfortunately, NNDC are responsible for public safety (slips, falls, infections, cleaning etc) regarding this issue - unless someone else would like to accept responsibility? Not me! At least NNDC had the foresight to react, unlike some other local councils in this cash-strapped age. One last thought. We removed 5 tonnes of pigeon droppings, flies, maggots, dead pigeons, eggs etc from a roof in Dereham recently. Any takers?
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Express Pest Control
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Leave the pigeons alone. Post WWll pigeons were awarded 32 Dickin Medals for their valuable efforts in getting messages through. During this period, they received the most medals out of the dogs, cats and horses put together. Shame on those who so easily kill a living sentient animal whose ancestors served this country well. Why doesn't the council get those who are doing 'Community Service' to clear up their mess? Beside, we all now it is a fact that the number one vermin on this planet is our very own disgraceful race.
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Julie
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Mr T some understanding Pigeons might be helpful? The Pigeons that damage crops are mainly the Common Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus) which is a member of the dove and pigeon family Columbidae also know as the Culver in some areas. The Pigeons in North Market Place will be Feral Pigeons (Columba livia), also called city doves, city pigeons or street pickers which are derived from the domestic Pigeon which in turn was derived from the Rock Dove.
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John L Norton
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
91% say no to a cull Mr.T.Are those people to be ignored.Come round here and cull a few of the grey squirrels,magpies and foxes and I might agree.What are we going to get next.A cull of sea gulls in Cromer?Who are we to say what should die!
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john kendall
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Such a sad state of things, where killing is greeted with such joy and eagerness. I'd imagine you people would turn the gun on each other if you could get away with it. Some folks need to grow a heart and evolve.
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SCW
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Mr T are you really so uninformed that you think feral pigeons damage crops? There is no excuse for that level of ignorance when you have access to the internet! But it is the ignorant among us that think killing solves everything.
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Moreta
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Stop being so sentimental over flying rats, they need to be culled, year after year they cause thousands of pounds worth of damage to crops, sooner we get rid of them the better..
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Mr T
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
People for the Preservation of Pigeons is concerned with the protection and preservation of mankind's oldest domestic bird, the gentle and loyal pigeon. We support pro-pigeonism in order to promote their positive portrayal in society. Pigeons bring joy to millions who appreciate how they animate our cities. Pigeons were routinely used in wartime as airborne couriers flying over rough terrain and behind enemy lines carrying messages strapped to their legs.
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John L Norton
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Ray -- what else would you like to "cull." Huh? Humans carry serious diseases, is that next?Your facts are not facts, but drivel. You are one hate mongering humanoid.
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denise
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
What a sweet name, Tinkerbelle for someone who in my eyes is a "disgusting creature." Where did you acquire such venom toward such a harmless, lovely bird.
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denise
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Daisy --- don't you have better things to do with your time than to persecute pigeons. My God.
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denise
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Valpy -- you sound like a true animal hater. I'm sorry you feel this way.
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denise
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
OMG, ignorant people spouting total misinformation re pigeons. They do NOT carry disease. Actually your neighbor is probably more of a health hazard than any pigeon. And speaking of "pests", I know too many people who qualify more greatly for that term. Why not rid your heart of hate and your brain of misinformation. I am part of a pigeon rescue group and know the facts about pigeons. Respect the animals and nature.
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denise
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
If they need volunteers, I'm well up for it. Take the pigeons out first then we can start on the pesky urban foxes. After that we could go after the chuggers.
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Valpy Word
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
As usual pigeon haters are spouting the same old nonsense. Here are the facts: (1) the risk of catching anything from pigeons is so low it is not worth even thinking about, (2) pigeons dont fly and poo so people are not getting dropped on by pigeons (3); it is illegal to cull pigeons just because people dont like themwant them and finally (4) culling anything at all may decrease numbers very temporarily but actually increases numbers in the long term, so the councils are making matters much much worse.
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candycat
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
John-82% were probably the sort of wet person who believes the lies and spurious surveys the RSPB trots out
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Daisy Roots
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Of course culling works As does netting areas where they nest and poking out nests. The EDPs own Percy Trett wrote an informed article once on the diseases the pigeons on GY market place were found to carry. The numbers of feral pigeon and wood pigeon have boomed in recent decades-food in the form of over wintered oil seed rape and that spread in gardens by bird lovers helps more birds to survive the winter .Those who observe the countryside cannot help but notice the increase in the number of pigeons of all kinds-feral pigeon which breed in towns have to feed somewhere and can damage many crops.
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Daisy Roots
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
82%of the people who voted have said NO to the cull.I would like to see a comment made by the RSPB who are always silent on such issues.
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john kendall
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
It has been repeatedly demonstrated that local culling of animals and birds has only a short-term impact on populations and has to be repeated regularly. Over time the cost (paid for by the Council tax payers), is prohibitive. The humane non-killing alternative exists and is proven effective. Sadly, culling is the first resort employed by the unimaginative as some of the comments above demonstrate. Ralph
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Ralph
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
What makes your view so important? Ray Harris.you have no facts or figures?
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Leigh Jones
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
To Quote NNDC person, "the pigeons on the ruined church tower will not be targeted" this is wrong, and offensive, what about the Catholic Pigeons!!! I would think NNDC need to think about other things within budget, rather than upsetting people with stupid statements...
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Leigh Jones
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
I Reckon a rare "Lost Punter Red winged dive bombing coral bird"
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Leigh Jones
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Mr Wilson of Coral Bookmakers, should be last to complain about vermin, why have we got this shop in prime position? no wonder the Pigeons drop things... Good luck to them, if there is a cull I be there to protest!
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Leigh Jones
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Why is it the human race can't live without culling some animal at sometime of the year. Leave the pigeons alone or do what was done in Bury St Edmunds last year. Rentokill worked in line with an animal sanctuary ,the pigeons were humanely trapped and then taken to the sanctuary a long way away, it all worked very well ,if people will only take the time, most idiots say its easier to MURDER the birds, well all I can say is I hope in your second life you come back as a pigeon and you get your neck rung.
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sweetpea
Monday, April 11, 2011
Pigeons cant dive bomb they can only poop when not flying. that is a fact , google it! its some other bird which is dive bombing you.
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FlyinGreyDove
Monday, April 11, 2011
Culls do NOT work. When you cull pigeons, it means more food for the surviving ones and their young. If pigeons have access to a lot of food they will breed and those babies will survive(and not die of malnutrition). Culling might reduce numbers for a month or two then you will be back to a lot of pigeons. What is needed is a proven approach like they use in Italy and in parts of LA, where they feed them birth control, using that the city councils have dramatically reduced the number of pigeons for a very long period of time and SAVED MONEY! culling is a waste of hard earned money, use methods that are cheaper and more effective such as birth control feed.
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FlyinGreyDove
Monday, April 11, 2011
What about some of the filthy human race that carry deadly deseases around, do you suggest a cull there????????????????????????????
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sweetpea
Monday, April 11, 2011
The only hazard in this evil world is the human race. Some never seem to be happy unless they are murdering some poor innocent animal somewhere, these people make me sick. Last year some idiots wanted to do this in Bury St Edmunds and we the animal lovers managed to get Rentokill to trap these birds and hand them over to a rescue centre it was very successfull so why can't this be done this time?????Murdering any animal is disgracefull, pigeons are no more dangerous than a lot of the human race but I don't see a cull organised there.
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sweetpea
Monday, April 11, 2011
When are we going to stop killing our wildlife? The answer to everything seems to be "kill it" Do the people voting for the killings really want to live in a world devoid of wild creatures? The fact that people are feeding the pigeons shows that some people want them to be there, please, just leave them be. As to the gentleman that brings our attention to the fact that pigeons carry disease...so do humans, many and varied!
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OwlMomma
Monday, April 11, 2011
They are called flying rats because a character in a Woody Allen film called them "rats with wings"...that was supposed to be FUNNY...not a scientific fact. Another character called them a GOOD OMEN! As for spreading diseases...how many readers have ever caught anything from a pigeon? And how many have NOT caught something from a human?
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Moreta
Monday, April 11, 2011
I wonder how many of the people that want the pigeons killed know of anyone that has caught a disease from a pigeon...and I wonder how many of them know of anyone who hasn't caught a disease from a fellow human? By the way, they are called flying rats because a character in a Woody Allen film called them "rats with wings"...it was meant to be FUNNY, not a fact for the uninformed to use to justify slaughter.
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Moreta
Monday, April 11, 2011
What a great idea, now how about something is done about the many pigeons in Cromer, too? There are actually people i have seen who daily feed these disgusting creatures with bird seed - people need educating.
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Tinkerbell
Saturday, April 9, 2011
If Nth Walsham can cull some flying rats why cannot Norwich C Council do likewise, no farting about just get on and do it. Not just the market area, many other areas also, it used to be a much cleaner City but sadly now ugh. I have even given up cropping my garden because of thieving flying rats, first light = first feed 'n droppings, useless vermin.
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Paul Platten
Saturday, April 9, 2011
A cull is seriously needed in Norwich city centre as well, the pigeons are a serious menace in and around the marketplace and a health hazard around all the fast food stalls. I am sick and tired of being dive-bombed and not being able to sit on a bench without running the risk of a deposit landing on me. They do carry disease - they're not called flying rats for no reason.
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vodster
Friday, April 8, 2011
Correction: 33%
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Ray Evans
Friday, April 8, 2011
Do the 38% of the people who have so far voted NO to culling realise just what fouling decease carrying pests these birds are?
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Ray Evans
Friday, April 8, 2011