The bad publicity for the dive-bombing seagulls of Cornwall continues with an article in the Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2395158/Beware-birds-Number-gull-attacks-treble-heat-animals-protect-chicks-extended-breeding-season.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
The intelligence of gulls is highlighted in this report, where they work together to snatch food off unsuspecting tourists. Whilst the use of water pistols by one restaurant owner sounds like a fun idea - there are much more effective forms of seagull bird control available. If seagulls have been causing problems for your business in Cornwall or Devon, please get in touch for professional advice. Management programmes are best implemented
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According to a news report (http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/RSPB-says-seagull-complaints-highest-decade/story-19626361-detail/story.html#axzz2bNRUSES0) the RSPB is receiving record numbers of complaints about seagulls this year. The residents and local business owners have found the seagulls to be particularly aggressive during this breeding season. Dive-bombing by seagulls, noise pollution, mess on buildings and ransacked rubbish bags have all been features of the seagull problem in Cornwall. Whilst the impending end of the breeding season may bring hope of an ease in the seagulls' aggressive behaviour - please make sure that you contact a bird control specialist (such as HT Bird & Pest Control Services) well in advance of the next breeding season. We would be able to discuss the strategies that can be implemented in preventing the seagulls from nesting on your buildings, such as bird proofing or a deterrent programme using a bird of prey. This report in the Sun highlights the problems that aggressive seagulls are causing during the summer - their breeding season. A sustained bird control programme is required in situations like this. HT Bird and Pest Control can offer tailored solutions including: A bird control programme Bird proofing We use a combination of effective methods such as the regular flying of a falcon or Harris Hawk to deter seagulls, ensuring that roof areas are kept clear of nesting materials and if required bird proofing can be professionally installed. Please contact Kevin McMillan on 07723442669 to discuss your bird control requirements. Whilst I provide bird control across Devon & Cornwall for feral pigeons, I really do enjoy racing pigeons and loved this story of two racing pigeons catching a 135 mile lift with a Royal Navy Destroyer.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2353519/Perhaps-staging-coo-Pigeons-stow-away-Royal-Navy-destroyer-135-mile-journey.html?ito=feeds-newsxml Canadian study leads to the use of birds of prey to control seagulls on landfill site:
http://www.canada.com/CVRD+trained+hawks+deter+seagulls+landfill+site/8574495/story.html Seagull proof bin bags introduced in Cornwall: http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/creature-s-foxed-dustbins/story-19406628-detail/story.html#axzz2XVxtotn5 An increase in bird strikes has seen the use of bird control increased in Australia. Hooded Talons Bird & Pest Control Services commonly uses pyrotechnics and falcons for bird control in Cornwall and Devon. http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/wildlife-control-experts-employ-new-weapons-to-stop-bird-strikes-over-airports-that-could-bring-down-planes/story-fnihsrf2-1226671619280 Environmental Management has an interesting article on bird control on landfill sites. Although the full article is only accessible if you pay, the abstract provides a good indication of the article content. The article reports the findings of a DEFRA funded study, and is useful reading for anyone involved in the management of landfill sites:
An Evaluation of Techniques to Control Problem Bird Species on Landfill Sites - http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00267-008-9077-7 An interesting article about the success of bird control to prevent air strikes. The Royal Navy have been using bird control since 1965: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Reference-Library/Features/130509-Bird-Control-Unit |