War waged on city's pigeon plague
The plague of pigeons blighting the centre of Lincoln could become a thing of the past if plans are successful.
City centre managers say they want to wage all-out war on the feathered pests following a population explosion.
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Lincoln Business Improvement Group (BIG) is pledging to redouble its efforts to cut down the number of birds flocking to the centre in search of tasty titbits and discarded snacks.
Matt Corrigan, who heads up Lincoln BIG, said education would be the group's main tactic.
"A lot of people put down food for them," he said. "There can be massive flocks because they breed so rapidly. They buildings in the city centre keep them warm so they can breed all year round.
"We need to persuade people not to feed them and to make sure their rubbish is placed in bins."
Mr Corrigan said that they had already tried to cut down numbers using pigeon scaring devices that emit the calls of birds of prey.
But these measures have been unsuccessful
He also ruled out using seed laced with contraceptives – saying this had been unsuccessful in other cities.
Viva Coffee Shop owner, Barry Reeves, who is chairman of Sincil Street Traders' Association, said the situation has got out of control in the city.
"There's pigeon excrement all over the place," he said. "I've got tables outside my cafe and several customers have been dive-bombed by pigeons.
"They are health hazard and although there's previously been big efforts to get rid of them they are still here.
"It costs businesses a lot of money to clean up after them."
Pigeons have been known to carry diseases such as Chiamdiosis, a virus similar to influenza, and Psittacosis – similar to pneumonia.
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by Hussydog, In Your Head
Thursday, September 24 2009, 5:53PM
“Pigeons have bred to accomodate the amount of food available, the theory is cut the food supply and away they go. The problem is pigeons will eat almost anything just like Rats if it means survival which at the end of the day all creatures strive to do.
When I used to live in Brighton there is a major issue with Seagulls breeding as they had plenty of food sources. Brighton and Hove city council slowly cut of the amount of food available for the birds by providing wheelie bins, more litter bins, enforcing businesses to have wheelie bins and use them, educate the public and so on... But they began to swoop on people eating food in the street, stripping rubbish bags finding ways into wheelie bins and moving to surburban areas to gain more food sources, could we see this behaviour in pigeons here in Lincoln? Basic instinct will take over and we are to blame. The problem should of been tackled many years ago when these birds started to evolve around our habits.”
by Martin, Lincoln
Thursday, September 24 2009, 7:24AM
“Stan, looks like the 60's weren't the height of being able to spell though.
They are just pigeons. Leave them alone.”
by Jon, Whisby
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 5:55PM
“If the City Managers wish to wage war on something, they should wage war on the fithy toilets in the city center.”
by lynn, lincoln
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 5:46PM
“Surely, most large cities suffer from the blight of pigeons. What does Trafalger Square do for example, they used to sell cartons of food, but I notice this has been abandoned for quite a while. Lots of buildings have spiked wires on the window sills to stop them from landing. I don't think an answer will ever be found as long as people rubbish the City. On a funny front I was driving my open top car and was S.... from from high above by one, had to go home and shower, I have also had a shampoo in the City before now.”
by manximp, isle of man
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 3:50PM
“Shoot em all !! .... and the pigeons.”