SPECIES COVERED
Feral pigeons (Columba livia)
Proving incredibly adaptable to city living, pigeons have managed to thrive in urban environments. Pigeons breed almost year round, meaning that what is initially just a few pairs of pigeons can quickly grow to a sizeable flock. Wherever pigeons roost in significant numbers, they cause large amounts of fouling which can pose a potential health hazard along with a multitude of other issues. Pigeons will occupy a particular site based on the shelter and safety it provides, as well as its proximity to food and water. We consider all of these factors, and treat each individual site uniquely, creating a tailored schedule of flying to make sure we are always present when the problem birds are congregating.
Gulls (Various species)
During the nesting season (March - September), gulls can become very defensive of their nests - dive-bombing anyone in the vicinity. As well as this, they cause extensive fouling and nesting material can cause blockages on roofing. To prevent these issues, it is paramount that we start our hawking programmes prior to gulls building their nests. With a heavy and consistent bird of prey presence, we can ensure that gulls do not see the site as safe to raise chicks and move elsewhere. We are able to successfully clear even well established roosts, where gulls have been allowed to breed unchecked for years, utilising nest and egg removal alongside our programme if required (with all licenses applied for).
Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)
Flocks of starlings are capable of quickly causing huge amounts of damage in vineyards and orchards. In most cases, they account for the majority of “bird damage” to fruit, due to a combination of the flock size and the persistence they show when attempting to feed. We use a range of falcons, natural predators of the starling, to chase and clear entire flocks from the crop. Continual flights from dawn to dusk ensure that the flocks do not have a chance to feed on the fruit, and must move elsewhere.
Ring-necked parakeets (Psittacula krameri)
Invasive ring-necked parakeets are now well established across the South-East. They are beginning to pose a major threat to fruit crops and vineyards, and this will only grow as their range continues to spread each year. As well as this, they could potentially have a significant impact on our native biodiversity. Our small falcons are ideal for pushing groups of parakeets away from your site.
Corvids (Various species)
We have found rooks, jackdaws and magpies to cause significant damage to cherry, pear and apple crops. Urban crows can also cause issues, often dropping pebbles and breaking windows! The social and intelligent nature of corvids means that they react very strongly to the presence of a bird of prey in the area, allowing us to quickly and effectively clear flocks. We use our hawks and falcons to chase birds as they flock, pushing them from the fruit and establishing it as an unsafe area to feed.
