Some photos from a recent bird proofing job in Truro.

A BBC information request to Councils in England has revealed that spending on bird control measures has almost doubled in the last three years.

Bird control in Cornwall
HT Bird & Pest Control offer the following professional bird control measures throughout Cornwall:

• Bird Proofing - bird netting, bird spikes, bird wire
  
• Falconry Response - the use of hawks or falcons
  
• Trapping - suitable for birds such as pigeons
  
• Shooting - humane methods are considered first
  
• Nest management - nest removal and egg removal / pricking
  

Each situation is unique, and HT Bird & Pest Control offers a free site survey and quote to ensure that a bespoke bird control programme is offered. This may involve a combination of the measures listed above. Factors considered include which methods will be the most humane for the birds, the most effective long term control of the bird problem, and the best value for your budget.
Contact HT Bird & Pest Control today to book your free site survey or discuss your bird control problem in Cornwall.

Authors: Aonghais Cook, Steven Rushton, John Allan, Andrew Baxter
Published online: 7 February 2008 http://www.researchgate.net/publication/5594984_An_Evaluation_of_Techniques_to_Control_Problem_
Bird_Species_on_Landfill_Sites

The above research study looked at multiple bird control techniques used across multiple sites, and compared control periods with time periods during which bird control techniques were introduced. The study continued to monitor the effectiveness of the techniques over time, in order to identify which techniques the various species of seagull would habituate to.

Two key conclusions from the study are principles by which HT Bird and Pest Control practice bird control in Cornwall:
1) the use of a variety of methods
2) the use of falconry as a highly effective method that is increasingly effective over time.

We pride ourselves in providing an ethical bird control service in Cornwall, as so draw on the most suitable method for each job. We will not sell you a full falconry programme if bird proofing your building will be effective and cheaper. We will provide you with expert advice based on your budget and requirements.

With eight years of experience specializing in bird control, we are fully competent in all of the methods of bird control and will always offer a bespoke programme to each customer. Falconry is an often used technique for bird control on landfill sites, at hotels, schools, hospitals, businesses and any large establishment. This is due to the effectiveness of the technique. In extremely heavily populated areas of seagulls, such as landfill sites, it may be necessary to fly a falcon that is actively hunting the seagulls. In an average bird control situation in Cornwall, at hotels, schools, business premises and hospitals, it is not necessary to fly a hunting falcon. In these situations we will use a falcon or hawk that is trained to fly to the lure for food. The seagulls will still view the bird of prey as a predator and leave the area.

People can be concerned that birds of prey are natural hunters and so may make a kill in front of their customers - this can occur, but is very rare. Remember that seagulls are large birds that are not the natural quarry of the smaller falcons. The smaller falcons are still effective in bird control, as the seagulls recognize the shape of a falcon and do not investigate further! The Harris Hawks that we fly for most bird control work in Cornwall in urban environments will naturally hunt ground quarry, such as rabbits. They are still very effective in scaring seagulls due to their large size. Our birds are carefully trained and selected to be the most suitable birds for bird control work. We take pride in the team that we have built up over eight years, and ensure that they have the best life possible. We can provide a free flying demonstration when providing a quote for your business - please contact us for further information.

Harris Hawks are the only raptors that socialize in groups and hunt in packs. This interesting article provides more detail on Harris Hawk pack life.
At HT Bird and Pest Control, our Harris Hawks are a key part of the bird control services we offer in Cornwall. The Harris Hawks are flown individually or in pairs to deter seagulls from hotels, schools and business premises. In the wild the Harris Hawks can be found in larger groups. Our Harris Hawks are well trained and fly around a site in order to deter the seagulls from roosting. The seagulls recognize the threat from the presence of the Hawk, and will move away. A continued presence of the hawk will convince the seagulls that this is the territory of a predator, and they will look for a safer long term roosting and nesting site. The Harris Hawks return to the falconer repeatedly for small rewards of food during their flights. They do not actually catch the seagulls - so the bird control method is humane, as well as being effective.
Harris Hawks are ideally shaped for short flights within confined spaces, and this makes them ideal birds of prey for use in urban bird control in Cornwall. HT Bird and Pest Control flies hawks at hotels, education and business premises throughout Cornwall. For more information, please visit the Bird Control in Cornwall page.

A recent study (read full article here) has shown that gulls are eating more trash than they used to, and it is thought that this is linked to the decline in fish populations. The poor quality diet is causing problems such as low fertility and declining populations.
The increase in the gulls being attracted to an unatural diet of human waste has also had the effect of putting the birds into conflict with people.
If you are having problems with pest seagulls in Cornwall, we can offer natural and effective deterrents. HT Bird and Pest Control are experienced in providing bird proofing and bird control in Cornwall.

A number of waxwings in America have been found to have eaten a non-native berry that ferments, causing them to become intoxicated and fly into the side of buildings, unfortunately killing themselves. Read this interesting article on how the trend was discovered.

The waxwings are certainly not the first animals to discover the intoxicating properties of fermented berries - the Marula berry in Africa is famous for caused elephants to become drunk (much more scarey than waxwings!).

Please do not hesitate to contact HT Bird and Pest Control for any bird control problems in Cornwall (most likely seagull or pigeon problems, not drunken waxwings!).

This recent article on the BBC news website highlights a new danger for building owners as a compensation case is dismissed. The lady in question slipped when being attacked by a seagull and tried to obtain compensation from the building owner. The judge dismissed the case as it could not be proved where the attacking seagull had originated from.
If you have a problem with seagulls nesting on your roof in Cornwall, please contact HT Bird and Pest Control Services for a free quote. We are experienced in both commercial and residential bird control.

An interesting article on the BBC website looks at a recent study on controlling seagulls at the coast in America. Sheepdogs were deployed to keep gulls away from beaches in order to try to prevent ecoli and high levels of bacteria that can cause the closure of beaches.
HT Bird and Pest control have a range of strategies that can be used to control seagulls, both on the coast and in urban environments.

Please contact us for a free survey.