by Pigeon Patrol | Jun 2, 2015 | Bird Deterrent Products, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeons in the News
Despite measures in place at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport to keep birds away, bird strikes have gone up over the years, shows data. In 2014, around 67 suspected bird strikes at the Mumbai airport were reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), up from 49 suspected bird strikes in 2013.
The growing number forced the Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL) to purchase an avian-deterrent variety of grass recently to plant near the runway on a trial basis.
Pariah kites, pigeons, common myna, egrets and crows are some of the birds involved in bird strikes at the airport, according to MIAL.
When an aircraft makes the final approach towards the airport, these birds are likely to hit the aircraft.
Avian-deterent Ryegrass, purchased by MIAL, has natural fungus in the form of endophyte, which produces chemicals that deter insect growth. According to the Association of Private Airport Operators, while bird strikes lead to losses of over Rs 20 crore annually to the Indian aviation industry, they are also a serious threat to passenger safety.
“A 30-lbs goose striking the windscreen of a plane flying at 200 knots (in circuit speed) creates a relative impact of 20 tonne, which could cause serious damage to aircraft and pose a risk to the lives of passengers. The civic authorities never pay attention to environmental issues when it comes to airline operations,” said Captain Mohan Ranganathan, an aviation safety expert.
There are approximately 250 slaughterhouses near the airport, which attract birds in the area, besides the garbage ‘hill’ at the Deonar dumping ground that lies in the approach funnel of the Mumbai airport.
“Besides the Deonar garbage hill attracting birds, flowing near the airport is the filthy Mithi river. Further, within the airport, there are open drains, making it a haven for birds,” said Dr Satish Pande, director of Ela Foundation, an NGO. MIAL has asked the NGO to conduct a survey to understand the behaviour of birds in the 10-km radius of the airport (risk zone), and suggest solutions to avoid bird strikes.
“There is also a small bat colony in front of terminal 1-B and these bats leave their roost at night. We have proposed trimming of trees to dissuade such colonies after taking all necessary permission,” said Pande, whose report will be submitted to MIAL this month.
Besides bursting crackers, MIAL uses launchers and cartridges that cause an exploding and whistling sound, and vehicle mounted scarecrow during the day. At night, laser bird repellent torches are used to scare birds during poor visibility.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Mar 31, 2015 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeons in the News
Three oil sands companies say scores of birds were killed after landing at their waste facilities in east-central Alberta, Canada, even though their avian deterrents were operational at the time.
All three companies – Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNRL), Syncrude and Suncor – said the birds began landing the morning of Nov. 4 and that their wildlife deterrents were working properly at the time. However, a dense fog was reported at the time, which may have disoriented the birds, contributing to their deaths.
All told, 122 waterfowl died on the companies’ tailing ponds, where waste from oil extraction is dumped, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) reported on Nov. 5. CNRL reported finding 60 dead birds at its Horizon site, and Syncrude said it had to euthanize 30 birds that landed on a similar facility at its Mildred Lake site.
Suncor said that about 120 birds closed in on one of its waste ponds at about the same time, but its deterrents frightened most of them away. Six, though, managed to land.
Investigators sent in by the AER are trying to determine whether the companies’ deterrents were, in fact, working that day. The deterrents include ordinary scarecrows as well as more high-tech devices as radar units and acoustic devices such as propane cannons, which shoot nothing more dangerous than noise, to scare wildlife from toxic areas.
The oil companies expressed concern about the birds’ deaths. CNRL spokeswoman Julie Woo said in an e-mail to Canadian Broadcasting Corp. News, “We are saddened that approximately 60 waterfowl were not deterred and we are currently in the process of confirming the final affected number.”
Will Gibson of Syncrude offered a similar sentiment. He said his company noted increased bird activity in the region that morning. “As a result of these observations,” he told Global News, “our bird deterrent system went into heightened alert.”
“We don’t want our operations to harm wildlife,” Gibson said, “so we’re going to be reviewing our systems to see if there’s additional areas to improve on what we’ve already implemented.”
Syncrude, a major oil sands operator in the region, was hit with a $3 million fine for the deaths of more than 1,600 ducks that had landed on its tailings pond in 2008.
Mike Hudema of Greenpeace Canada says wildlife deterrent systems aren’t enough, and that the oil sands operations need to get rid of tailings ponds, period. “The systems that they put in place to try to keep birds off are not working,” he said. “The only way to keep birds and animals safe in, really, what is a toxic brew of chemicals is to get these tailings ponds off the Alberta landscape.”
AER spokesman Ryan Bartlett said his agency is investigating the incident, but the results may not be known for months. Meanwhile, neither Alberta’s Environment or Energy ministry would comment, leaving the matter to AER. Provincial Premier Jim Prentice said he’d have nothing to say until the AER issues a report on its investigation.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Mar 31, 2015 | Animal Deterrent Products, Pigeons in the News
A 26-year-old transient was arrested Wednesday on a charge of cruelty to animals after a wing was ripped off a live pigeon in a parking lot at 221 W. Union St., according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Simon Abromson remains in the Duval County jail on $10,000 bail after his 1 p.m. arrest, according to jail records.
Abromson was feeding birds in the parking lot at noon Monday and threw bread on the ground to gather birds, a witness told police. After gathering birds around him, he grabbed one pigeon and ripped off a wing before it fell back to the ground. The bird tried to run away, but died behind a dumpster, according to the arrest report.
The witness confronted Abromson about torturing the bird and was told to “back off or I’ll slit your throat and drink your blood,” according to the arrest report.
Police found the man two days later, but he became violent when arrested and said he would come back and shoot people in the parking lot. The man told police he eats pigeons regularly, according to the arrest report.
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
by Pigeon Patrol | Mar 31, 2015 | Bird Deterrent Products, Pigeons in the News
PEDESTRIANS have resorted to walking under a Worcester bridge with an umbrella to protect them from pigeon attacks and droppings says a councillor.
Residents have resorted to walking under the bridge, on Bromyard Road, with an umbrella to protect them from attacks and droppings. However, Network Rail say they do plan to install some ‘pigeon spikes’ to prevent them roosting there which they hope will curb the nuisance.
It is believed the pigeons are attacking people as they feel the need to protect their young.
St John’s county councillor, Richard Udall, has received many complaints about the hostile birds, and has written to the chief executive of Network Rail to tackle the problem. Netting was suggested by cllr Udall but Network Rail now say spikes may solve the problem.
Cllr Udall said: “I have been receiving complaints for a few years, both Environmental Health and Worcestershire Highways have made formal requests to ask Network Rail to erect netting to prevent the birds from nesting.
“Receiving a coating of pigeon droppings and feathers can clearly be a danger to health.
“However, they have no powers to force them to do so, and Network Rail just appear to ignore the requests. They clearly have taken no action and the problem is getting worse.
“They need to act now to prevent the birds returning next spring.” It is hoped, with the spotlight now on the issue, public pressure will force them to act.
Cllr Udall said: “I believe that public pressure will force them into action, the problem is not going to go away without their intervention.
“Residents who walk to work, school or the local shops must walk under the bridge, any alternative route would be too far or just too inconvenient.
“People are fed up with the problem and we need the owners of the bridge to take some responsibility to help”.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Mar 31, 2015 | Animal Deterrent Products, Pigeons in the News
A persistent bird feeder given an Anti-Social Behaviour Order to restrict his habit was feeding pigeons around 40kg of bird seed a day, a court heard.
John Wilkinson, Morecambe’s Pigeonman, can now only feed birds half a kilo of bird seed three days a week under the varied terms of his ASBO.
Prosecuting body Lancaster City Council was granted a variation of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order against Mr Wilkinson, of Cavendish Road in Morecambe.
The variation extends an existing ASBO for a further year to December 2015 and varies the conditions by further restricting the amount and also the times he can feed pigeons.
Proceedings were brought against Mr Wilkinson due to the annoyance and distress he has brought to residents for a number of years by feeding flocks of up to 300 pigeons outside his home and in other parts of the district. The flock wait for their regular feeds by perching on rooftops of neighbouring houses, where their fouling causes blocked and leaking gutters and their noise disturbs sleep.
Mr Wilkinson was feeding approximately 40kg of bird seed to the pigeons each day.
Coun Karen Leytham, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental health, said: “The order does not prevent Mr Wilkinson from feeding pigeons but tries to curb the worst excesses by restricting the amount he can feed and also the times and location.”
The conditions of the ASBO prohibit Mr Wilkinson from feeding pigeons within 100m of his home on Cavendish Road. Outside that radius he can feed up to half a kilo of bird seed between 9.30am and 10.30am on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
Despite measures in place at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport to keep birds away, bird strikes have gone up over the years, shows data. In 2014, around 67 suspected bird strikes at the Mumbai airport were reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), up from 49 suspected bird strikes in 2013.
