Pigeons

[rosielemonaddde]

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!

If they’re nesting it’s against the law. Bird nests are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.

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 😭

As above. Move the toys. The babies will be leaving the nest soon.
I find the sound of pigeons relaxing. They waddle about looking like vicars

Use them as an opportunity to teach your children to appreciate wildlife and not be self-centred.
No you can't move them. It's their home.

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

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

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

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.

@Snugglemonkey

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

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Thank you!

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

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?

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.

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.

Are they grey pigeons or wood pigeons?

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

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?

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.

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

I think I said I wanted to move them along?

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.

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.

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.

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.

You need a hawk kite! Something like this:

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 🤢

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.