Where nuisance birds can’t be restricted through proofing measures such as netting, NBC Bird and Pest Control uses falconry response as an extremely effective method of control.
The presence of a hawk/falcon quickly makes an area undesirable to smaller birds and encourages them to establish a new pattern of behaviour. Our trained falconry birds are effective at deterring seagulls, pigeons, geese and also ground nesting birds such as Skylarks and Lapwings.
Unlike audio or mechanical devices, birds never become complacent or used to the presence of a live predator. Falconry is a natural method of deterring 'pest' birds and is effective in scaring birds without the need to catch the prey, making it a compassionate and humane solution with a great opportunity for some positive PR.
An alternative method involves is broadcasting audio recordings of gulls, starlings, rooks and crows in distress which can be very effective in some situations. Once installed these systems require little maintenance and, as they are automatic, there is little management required, providing a cost effective solution.
NBC Bird and Pest Solutions also supply a variety of products including rockets, gas guns and even special kites to assist clients who are looking to keep costs down and explore self help options.
Typical Applications
NBC Bird and Pest Solutions Area Manager, Graham Rees was called in to help, with the aid of his Harris Hawk, Ernie. The pair have become local celebrities appearing in many Lichfield papers with their work in making Bird Street a bird-free zone.
Top Class Response
Roosting gulls had caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to Hartlepool Primary School’s roof, pecking through the fabric and creating an unsightly mess of nest debris and guano. However, when construction workers arrived to repair the roof, the territorial gulls were determined not to give up their home without a fight and became extremely aggressive, attacking the workers.
We implemented an intense programme of falconry response in the form of a Harris hawk to get rid of the gulls and ensure they stayed away by encouraging them to find a safer nesting spot.
Top Shop
Nesting pigeons on the loading bay beams outside Cheltenham’s Regent Shopping Arcade, were a ‘hit’ with customers – but not in a good way! Bird spiking and netting wasn’t a viable option on the site so NBC brought in a Harris hawk as part of a falconry response programme. Flying the bird at varying the times of day ensured the pigeons were constantly on their toes and soon found somewhere else to roost. The arcade was delighted at the success and cost-effectiveness of the programme and shoppers can now visit without the vermin.
Problem Neighbours
Shanks Waste Solutions in Aberdeen was experiencing a gull infestation, scavenging food from the site. The gulls were then plaguing their next door neighbours, Greenwell, an office furniture showroom, causing tension between the two companies.
We used a pilot bird control programme of intensive falconry, using two female Harris hawks. The waste management site commented that “even on the days the Harris hawks are not on site there is hardly any seagull activity” and neighbourly relations have been restored.
Scare Story
The cement works at South Ferriby recently employed NBC Bird and Pest Solutions to help control the numbers of pigeons and starlings roosting and cause a nuisance at the site.
Ray Fretwell the Area Manager of the NBC Bird and Pest Solutions' Nottingham and Doncaster branch, takes his Harris Hawk named Ant (he has a brother called Dec!) to fly around the plant and deter other birds from the area in an effective but humane way.
Birds of Prey are successful because other bird instinctively see them as a threat and quickly make themselves scarce.
A Cemex spokesperson commented that the use of falconry has proven successful and the number of birds observed around the site is steadily decreasing.
Cost Control
The ground nesting bird breeding season presents an real concern for the construction industry, potentially causing delays that can add up to huge financial losses. Lapwings and skylarks, like many ground nesting bird species, are attracted to undeveloped sites and nest for five months, from the beginning of March to the end of July. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, these protected birds are not allowed to be removed or disturbed during this breeding period, leaving construction companies at a standstill.
Advantage West Midlands used NBC’s bird and pest control services to deter skylarks and lapwings from their site on the M54. Ian Jolly, Site Supervisor, said, “I’ve experienced ground nesting birds causing delays on construction sites in the past. It was a case of ‘once bitten, twice shy’.” The contract has been extremely successful and, as an added bonus, generated lots of positive PR for Advantage. “It’s difficult to calculate how much the costs would have been had we not hired NBC Bird and Pest Solutions,” said Ian “but it’s likely we would have lost in excess of a million pounds in standing machinery alone over the period.”
