Flock off somewhere else: Daventry council will release trained falcons to tackle pigeon problem in town centre

Birds of prey are going to be used in Daventry to help tackle a growing number of pigeons flocking in the town centre.

Daventry District Council is taking the action in response to concerns over the problem pigeons creating a mess in the town, particularly Bowen Square and Foundry Place.

Now, the council plans to fly trained falcons around the town centre as part of a deterrent programme.

The council ran a similar scheme five years ago and has now chosen to re-introduce it.

Experienced handlers from Northampton Borough Council's environment team are set to carry out an intensive fortnight-long programme, flying falcons in a wide arc around the town centre in an effort to stop pigeons from nesting on rooftops. Hawks will also be walked along paths and walkways to move the pigeons on.

The birds of prey will then be brought back to the town regularly to deter the pigeons from returning.

Lee Rees, of NBC Environment, said: “Our falconry programme acts as a deterrent to pigeons and other unwanted birds by letting them know that the area is no longer safe.

“The presence of hawks and falcons will quickly encourage the pest pigeons to establish a new pattern of behaviour. Naturally pigeons will not roost in an area where there is a predator.”

Environmental Health Officers from DDC are urging people to support the programme by not feeding the pigeons. Those who do so are reminded that dropping food in public areas is a form of littering and carries a £150 fine.

There is an opportunity to meet the birds of prey and find out more about the falconry programme next on March 17 in Bowen Square. The event will run from midday to 2pm, ahead of the falconry programme starting on March 23.

Councillor Daniel Cribbin, housing and environmental health portfolio holder for on Daventry District Council said: “Pigeons create a mess and can carry diseases and, while the last falconry programme was incredibly successful, we have started to see a rise in the number of pigeons in the town centre again recently.

“Birds of prey are a natural and effective way of deterring pigeons but we need the support of residents in order for this to be successful, and I would urge people not to feed the pigeons or leave food waste on the floor.”