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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:
Original poster
rosielemonaddde · 14/06/2023 15:10

We live in a city, not the country side.
I'm going to get my husband to have a look with his ladder when he gets home. I can't actually see a nest when I've tried having a look myself using the slide so it might just be they are congregating up there for shade.
It's been a week now with more shit every day Confused

OP posts:
ItsOverFlo · 14/06/2023 15:07

Have you got a big garden or in the city? Are they wood pigeons?

Original poster
rosielemonaddde · 14/06/2023 14:45

ItsOverFlo · 14/06/2023 14:43

We like pigeons. Great entertainment. Feeding them etc. We can make a whole day out of feeding the wildlife (responsibly). There will be a lot of opinions on that, but my kids love it and have not contracted any diseases in the last 18 years.

Not said I think we will contract diseases just that I'm sick of shit splattered garden items and my baby being scared shitless by the random flapping when they walk past the tree

OP posts:
ItsOverFlo · 14/06/2023 14:43

We like pigeons. Great entertainment. Feeding them etc. We can make a whole day out of feeding the wildlife (responsibly). There will be a lot of opinions on that, but my kids love it and have not contracted any diseases in the last 18 years.

MandyMotherOfBrian · 14/06/2023 14:08

rosielemonaddde · 14/06/2023 10:35

This is why I was asking, I wasn't sure whether pigeons are protected by this law as they are generally seen as vermin/ a nuisance.

I will contact my local pest controller and see what advice they have.

Not looking to harm anything. Just want to make this heat more bearable by using the garden without having toys and picnic blankets shit on every day and a baby crying hysterically every time several large birds flap at them.

Show quote history

Whether anyone regards them as pests or not is irrelevant. All nesting birds and their nests are protected. And that’s from destruction and also from disturbance, so ‘super- soakers’ used to deter them would also be illegal. As BASC GLs there for pests control in situations like crop damage, they don’t cover minor irritation of a nesting bird in a domestic garden. If you’re unsure whether they are nesting or not then you need someone who can determine that. Btw, be wary of any pest control company that claim they can legally remove them if they’re nesting, they can’t, and you will also be liable, not just the pest control company.

thenightsky · 14/06/2023 13:49

Supersoaker.

Shine torches into the branches at roosting time to get them to move on.

We bought a high pitched pigeon deterrent thing which seems to have stopped them choosing our garden.

We also got all the cross branches where they nested chopped out last winter. This meant the hedge grew much thicker, so they couldn't get in with twigs and nesting materials.

Original poster
rosielemonaddde · 14/06/2023 13:36

TheHateIsNotGood · 14/06/2023 13:34

As pps have said have a look at the type of pigeon it is - a slender beige type with a black neck ring could be a collared dove even (most chillest bird in town).

The fat, grey ones tend to nest on/in buildings and do shit a lot. Pests. So they're probably not nesting, but resting and getting some shade. Or they're woodpigeons. The flapping is territorial/protective behaviour and will reduce after the nesting.

Meanwhile get a hawk kite or similar deterrent and maybe a little easy clean gazebo to play under.

Little kids get scared of the strangest things - ds at a similar age freaked out if he walked barefoot on sand or if anyone had a towel on their head! He grew out of it so hopefully your dd will grow out of her fear of birds too.

I think it's just the sudden aggressive flapping when he doesn't expect it, its quite loud, it startles me too!

OP posts:
TheHateIsNotGood · 14/06/2023 13:34

As pps have said have a look at the type of pigeon it is - a slender beige type with a black neck ring could be a collared dove even (most chillest bird in town).

The fat, grey ones tend to nest on/in buildings and do shit a lot. Pests. So they're probably not nesting, but resting and getting some shade. Or they're woodpigeons. The flapping is territorial/protective behaviour and will reduce after the nesting.

Meanwhile get a hawk kite or similar deterrent and maybe a little easy clean gazebo to play under.

Little kids get scared of the strangest things - ds at a similar age freaked out if he walked barefoot on sand or if anyone had a towel on their head! He grew out of it so hopefully your dd will grow out of her fear of birds too.

Original poster
rosielemonaddde · 14/06/2023 13:33

Elphame · 14/06/2023 13:18

Oh I hate them. Feral pigeons can breed all year around too.

One of the dogs actually caught one this week. Normally I'd be horrified but secretly I cheered her along.

They are awful aren't they.

I've realised it's them waking the kids up really early too with their horrible cooing noise 🤢

OP posts:
Elphame · 14/06/2023 13:18

Oh I hate them. Feral pigeons can breed all year around too.

One of the dogs actually caught one this week. Normally I'd be horrified but secretly I cheered her along.

Original poster
rosielemonaddde · 14/06/2023 12:30

OhmygodDont · 14/06/2023 12:28

Get a cat 😉 or borrow one.

But no they are honestly a pain in the ass. There’s all flapping and shut going on fortunately in the neighbour’s garden.

Hopefully pest control will send them on their way.

Glad some people see it from my point of view!

Honestly wonder if some people on here would welcome a flock of them shitting all over their stuff.

OP posts:
OhmygodDont · 14/06/2023 12:28

Get a cat 😉 or borrow one.

But no they are honestly a pain in the ass. There’s all flapping and shut going on fortunately in the neighbour’s garden.

Hopefully pest control will send them on their way.

Original poster
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.

OP posts:
MonumentalLentil · 14/06/2023 12:22

Can you put a parasol over the toys? A cheap one that could be hosed down or dumped when they have moved on.

Laser pens injure eyes, it would be cruel.

Pest control usually means shooting them, there are companies that will move them but catching them might be difficult, and if they are nesting the babies won't survive it.

Original poster
rosielemonaddde · 14/06/2023 11:25

Thanks for the useful advice I will speak to pest control about my options and look at harmless deterrents.

Bugger off everyone who claims I am a self centred, an asshole or pigeon killer or whatever else.

Literally just want my baby to use his garden in peace and me not have to clean shit off everything every day.

It's not big enough to just move the toys unfortunately, the grassed area is under the tree. He's still wobbly on his feet so I'd rather he played on the soft floor away from the concrete steps.

OP posts:
Original poster
rosielemonaddde · 14/06/2023 11:23

MonumentalLentil · 14/06/2023 10:53

Move the toys and leave the nest until November. Don't be like the assholes round here that want to kill everything they see, they have a right to live.

Can you point out where I said I wanted to kill something?

I think I said I wanted to move them along?

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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.

pigeonperson · 14/06/2023 10:59

Wood pigeons are broadly protected if they are not causing damage to crops. Feral (city) pigeons are the bird that pest control deal with more commonly, as far as I’m aware, and even then they need to be removed ‘by an authorised person for the purpose of safeguarding public health’. If there is a nest, you are allowed to remove it once it is no longer being used, though pigeons will try to return to build nests where they’ve previously reared chicks. Dissuading them can be difficult, but owl/hawk models may be a place to start?

In the meantime, could you put a tarp over toys, etc. when they aren’t in use to mitigate some of the frustration their mess causes?

cocksstrideintheevening · 14/06/2023 10:55

Are they grey pigeons or wood pigeons?

We have the latter and they wake me up every morning at 430 am, fuckers.

MonumentalLentil · 14/06/2023 10:53

Move the toys and leave the nest until November. Don't be like the assholes round here that want to kill everything they see, they have a right to live.

Starlingnest · 14/06/2023 10:46

There are different species of pigeons with different levels of protection. Feral pigeons can be removed, others have more protection. If they are in a tree they are more likely to be Woodpigeons, but that isn't guaranteed. A pest controller should be able to advise, depending on the species and situation.

Bearpawk · 14/06/2023 10:42

You can't destroy an active nest but you can discourage them by using one of those hawk flag things (they are quite convincing!) and try a dummy owl on the roof?

Original poster
rosielemonaddde · 14/06/2023 10:36

@Snugglemonkey

It is really not self-centred of a small child to want to play in their garden.

Thank you! Grin

It is also our home that I pay a mortgage on and wish to use the garden peacefully 😂

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Original poster
rosielemonaddde · 14/06/2023 10:35

Cynthia12 · 14/06/2023 10:31

Pigeons and grey squirrels are classed as pests.
Google or ask BASC.

This is why I was asking, I wasn't sure whether pigeons are protected by this law as they are generally seen as vermin/ a nuisance.

I will contact my local pest controller and see what advice they have.

Not looking to harm anything. Just want to make this heat more bearable by using the garden without having toys and picnic blankets shit on every day and a baby crying hysterically every time several large birds flap at them.

OP posts: