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AIBU?

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Original poster

Pigeons

107 replies

rosielemonaddde · 14/06/2023 10:18

Aibu to try and remove nesting pigeons from a tree in my garden?

And how should I do it? I don't mean bash them over the head or shoot them, just move them along.

Do light reflectors work? Or a hawk model? 😂

They are shitting all all over the kids garden toys, they make that horrendous gobbly noise constantly and flap excessively everytime anyone goes near the tree. There's at least 4 large ones.

It's just a bloody nuisance and I'm sick of them!

OP posts:
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FlippyFloppyFlappy · 26/06/2023 10:12

LoopyLoo1991 · 26/06/2023 09:24

As some newspaper online article said "pigeons are the only birds stupid enough to build a nest ON TOP OF a dead pigeon!"
Many countries class them as invasive species as all are descended from feral domestic pigeons and no completely pure 'rock doves' (original wild species) live any more.
China kills em by the billions.

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I don’t think “things China kills” is much to go off.

LoopyLoo1991 · 26/06/2023 09:30

Ah sorry. China gets rid of them with ultrasonics rather than kill them. Here:

https://www.pigeonpatrol.ca/seeking-a-quiet-clean-beijing-for-summit-china-cracks-down-on-dissent-pollution-and-pigeons/

LoopyLoo1991 · 26/06/2023 09:24

nopenotplaying · 14/06/2023 21:33

A pigeon nest looks like a few sticks just thrown about and hope for the best. Flat. You wouldn't even think it was a nest!

As some newspaper online article said "pigeons are the only birds stupid enough to build a nest ON TOP OF a dead pigeon!"
Many countries class them as invasive species as all are descended from feral domestic pigeons and no completely pure 'rock doves' (original wild species) live any more.
China kills em by the billions.

TheHateIsNotGood · 15/06/2023 23:18

They already do that in the UK - bird bang scarers - but not in the multitude of new-build estates, or anywhere with a still-existing, rare tree or two.

Keep the trees, encourage wild birds but a bunch of fat, town pigeons arguing and flapping whilst spraying their shit on all below actually deters/scares away the true wildlife that would be there otherwise.

StoneofDestiny · 15/06/2023 23:08

In some areas (abroad) people are sent round with 'guns' to make a huge bang every morning to scare pigeons off so people can sit outside in peace.

maybe make some loud bang in the garden?
what about those noise things used to deter cats etc?

TheHateIsNotGood · 15/06/2023 23:01

Delighted to see that this thread has taken the 'common sense' route despite the MN Mad but not Mad contingent swooping in (like an elderly lady grabbing a disabled seat on a bus - nb a.n. other MN MbnM thread).

I only stick around these parts to keep a check on the MN common sense 'quotient' - pleased to report it's gaining some ground after a prolonged dip. HTH.

MereDintofPandiculation · 15/06/2023 22:49

jeffgoldblum · 14/06/2023 18:07

I'm not sure pidgeons are in the same classification as other nesting birds , we've got woodpidgeons in our garden and they don't behave that way , they are not that big either ( we get crows and ravens too!) , it sounds like op has common pidgeons and these are classified as pests .

The circumstances in which you can take action are still quite limited

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-general-licences-for-the-control-of-wild-birds

Carrion crow

New general licences for the control of wild birds

New general licences issued ahead of them coming into force on 1 January 2021.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-general-licences-for-the-control-of-wild-birds

AMuser · 15/06/2023 22:24

PoppedNotFried · 15/06/2023 19:37

Another MN issue that could just be resolved by having a simple conversation. Just speak to the head pigeon, explain your position simply and calmly, and ask them to leave.

😂. Yes. And say “sorry but did you MEAN to be so rude”

AMuser · 15/06/2023 22:23

I bloody hate them. Currently engaged in a war with them and the developers of our flats who basically built a big pigeon playhouse. Everything open to allow them to roost and nest. They flap, attack, shit endlessly. I’ve tried poisoning them with antifreeze. They won’t drink it.

love wood pigeons, garden birds etc. These are flying rats. I’m with you. My pest guy can shoot them (and is allowed to legally) but too much glass here for him to do so.

MNers are mad.

Original poster
rosielemonaddde · 15/06/2023 22:16

@MathsNervous 😂😂😂

We must be mad to not want noisy shitting creatures invading our space and making it miserable.

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MathsNervous · 15/06/2023 20:24

gannett · 14/06/2023 15:39

We had woodpigeons nesting in a tree in our garden last month. Robins a while before that. Felt honoured to be honest. Was lovely to see the parents coming and going with food for the chicks and exciting to see the fledglings grow up. There wasn't that much shit but we just cleaned the stuff that needed cleaning. You will encounter bird shit wherever you go so making such a fuss about it is unseemly.

My advice is to learn to coexist with nature and teach your kid to do the same.

It's an absolute honour to have pigeons shitting at the side of my house as they nest under my solar panels...and wake me up sharp at 4am.

An absolute blessing.

PoppedNotFried · 15/06/2023 19:37

Another MN issue that could just be resolved by having a simple conversation. Just speak to the head pigeon, explain your position simply and calmly, and ask them to leave.

OhmygodDont · 15/06/2023 19:17

I’ve let our big Bertha cat. No pigeons in the neighbours garden anymore much to their relief 😅 I had locked them in house prison (catio etc) to help nesting birds.

I8toys · 15/06/2023 15:56

rosielemonaddde · 15/06/2023 02:12

That's all lovely but my garden isn't like a scene from a Disney movie.

It's literally a flock of massive pigeons exploding shite on everything in their path.

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😂The ratbirds are flapping right now outside. 😆

Furries · 15/06/2023 02:26

Have you tried standing in the garden and shouting “I pay the mortgage, you flappy fuckers?”

As mentioned above, maybe try a hawk kite. Or how about a cheap gazebo? Dismantle and clean at the end of summer. That way, you all get to enjoy the garden.

Original poster
rosielemonaddde · 15/06/2023 02:12

I8toys · 14/06/2023 21:15

We must be really odd. In lockdown I loved our squirrels, squiddly and diddly - we ordered a huge bag of monkey nuts (which went many bags ago) and they come to our kitchen window and hold their little hands together and look in for food. Then their children came and I am assuming grandchildren. We have Van Gogh who has one ear, Smudger who has a smudgy nose and the grandsquirrels. Pests to some but I love seeing their little faces. I don't mind sweeping up their their mess. A huge crow has also cottoned on and takes the nuts away. Husband has also put bird feeders everywhere and something called suet which birds love. Pigeons, magpies, thrush, starlings - we've had everything. The patio doors are open and its just flapping and carrying on. I love it. I just see birds or the squirrels hoping over the garden. The cat just looks up and shakes his head.

That's all lovely but my garden isn't like a scene from a Disney movie.

It's literally a flock of massive pigeons exploding shite on everything in their path.

OP posts:
nopenotplaying · 14/06/2023 21:35

There is an entire Twitter account, @BadNestss_, devoted to chronicling "the worst nests that pigeons have to offer."

nopenotplaying · 14/06/2023 21:33

A pigeon nest looks like a few sticks just thrown about and hope for the best. Flat. You wouldn't even think it was a nest!

MereDintofPandiculation · 14/06/2023 21:25

rosielemonaddde · 14/06/2023 10:25

I'm not sure if they are just hanging around there or if there is actually nest it's too high up to see. I'm just assuming as they seem to be congregating a lot. The kids are scared to play out because of the aggressive flapping and the amount shit is unreal 😭

The Act has that covered. The term is "recklessly or intentionally" - ie if you don't know whether or not they're nesting and go ahead anyway, it's still against the law.

ItsBritneyBitchhhh · 14/06/2023 21:24

rosielemonaddde · 14/06/2023 10:30

Ok I will tell my 18 month old to stop being so self centred.

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🤣🤣

DreamTheMoors · 14/06/2023 21:23

25sheets · 14/06/2023 11:01

We had an issue with pigeons sitting on an outside ledge in a block of flats. They were pooing everywhere. Every time we saw them we chucked water at them and within, I think about 3 weeks they went somewhere else.

Turn a hose on them or buy a laser pen from Amazon. Just cause some disruption and they will leave.

Same here, only it was in the covered parking.
They used netting and the issue went away.
There was one tiny place they didn’t net & sure enough a pigeon nested there & the mess is gross. Ick.

MonumentalLentil · 14/06/2023 21:16

rosielemonaddde · 14/06/2023 12:25

Then my parasol would get shit on and I've no way of cleaning that properly!
They honestly they splatter shit absolutely everywhere it's disgusting.

I did suggest a cheap one or one that can be hosed down.
There is shit on various places in my garden, below trees, I like pigeons so I just hose it off before usng the seats or whatever.

I8toys · 14/06/2023 21:15

We must be really odd. In lockdown I loved our squirrels, squiddly and diddly - we ordered a huge bag of monkey nuts (which went many bags ago) and they come to our kitchen window and hold their little hands together and look in for food. Then their children came and I am assuming grandchildren. We have Van Gogh who has one ear, Smudger who has a smudgy nose and the grandsquirrels. Pests to some but I love seeing their little faces. I don't mind sweeping up their their mess. A huge crow has also cottoned on and takes the nuts away. Husband has also put bird feeders everywhere and something called suet which birds love. Pigeons, magpies, thrush, starlings - we've had everything. The patio doors are open and its just flapping and carrying on. I love it. I just see birds or the squirrels hoping over the garden. The cat just looks up and shakes his head.

ArgosKettle · 14/06/2023 20:53

Ew, I cant think of anything worst.
Definitely get rid of those flying rats.

Original poster
rosielemonaddde · 14/06/2023 20:38

FurryPelmet · 14/06/2023 20:16

Read this and then remind yourself that forcing birds out of trees and nests is absolute dick behaviour and not something you’d stoop to. https://theconversation.com/in-defence-of-pigeons-187216

Literally don't care, don't need a guilt trip.

Sick of spending every single morning hosing and wiping and scrubbing so my property is clean for my baby.

The end.

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