by Pigeon Patrol | Oct 10, 2015 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Bird Netting, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons in the News, UltraSonic Bird Control
Feed the birds, tuppence a bag” croons the Little Old Bird Woman on the steps of St Paul’s in Mary Poppins. But the winged critters aren’t so popular with everyone; Ken Livingstone tried to eradicate them from Trafalgar Square in 2001 by banning the sale of pigeon food and hiring a hawk to maintain the pecking order. If he’d succeeded in wiping them out completely, what would London be like today? We take a look at pigeons’ place in the London ecosystem.
The only creature to feast on pigeons in London is the peregrine falcon, a bird of prey that nests on the ledges of tall buildings (as this replicates their more natural environment of cliff faces), according to Matthew Evans, Professor of Ecology at Queen Mary University. The most famous pair of peregrine falcons in London nest in the chimney of the Tate Modern on Southbank, although others are known to roam the skies around Parliament and other spots.
Peregrines are adept at catching their prey when it is mid-flight (meals on wheels wings, if you will), and London pigeons are simply a more domesticated version of the rock dove, the falcons’ only source of food in other environments. Evans believes it’s unlikely that an absence of pigeons would cause them to turn to another food source, such as rodents. Instead, they are likely either to die out through lack of food, or leave London and set up home in another location where their favourite meal is readily available.
In turn, this would reduce the number of greater-binocularised humans who flock to Southbank every summer in an attempt to feed their eyes on the falcons. Presumably they would be displaced to another ecosystem more accommodating to their bird-spotting needs — the Welsh coast, perhaps — freeing up more of the London space for other humans to flourish.
Looking at the food chain in the other direction, the main source of food for pigeons is human rubbish: crisps, biscuits, the odd M&S sarnie. Whatever they can get their mangled claws on, really. According to Evans, the only reason that pigeons really exist in London is due to the sheer amount of food readily available for them. So, without pigeons, this clean-up service would cease to exist, meaning we’d probably be knee-deep in half-eaten kebabs before we knew it. But excess food would soon be picked up by rats and foxes (and gulls, closer to the river), meaning we’d probably see an increase in the populations of these species.
So no pigeons in London would mean no peregrine falcons, but more rats and foxes. Think of that next time you shoo a hobbling pigeon out of your path. It’s him, or a rat. And of course, fewer pigeons mean less pigeon droppings, so London buildings and statues could be free of the “lucky”* fluid, and less subject to erosion. We could also release our most sacred buildings from the protective sheath of pigeon spikes (full effectiveness demonstrated below).
*We got pooed on by a pigeon once. So distracted were we in trying to remove the muck from our new jacket that we tripped over a kerb and ended up face down in mud. Lucky our *rse.
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 | Oct 6, 2015 | Bird Netting, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons in the News, UltraSonic Bird Control
TORONTO, ON–(Marketwired – October 21, 2014) – The Scarborough Civic Centre, unique for its juxtaposition of two triangular shaped, multiple split level towers, which surround an open central area in the interior, was designed by architect Raymond Moriyama and officially opened in 1973 by Queen Elizabeth. Today, the five-story east tower holds municipal offices for Toronto’s East District, while the four-story west tower now houses offices of the Toronto District School Board.
Sadly, like most buildings where glass is showcased, the Centre has experienced a very high level of bird collisions with its windows. When a new library wing addition with a myriad of glass surfaces was planned at the Centre, an effort was led to solve the problem by Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker. Councillor De Baeremaeker first had the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) Canada conduct a BirdSafe® risk assessment of the building to help identify the most lethal facades for bird-window collisions. City funding was then allotted to support a retrofit solution that conformed with Bird Friendly Development Guidelines outlined in Toronto’s Green Development Standard (2007); city-wide legislation that Councillor De Baeremaeker was also instrumental in introducing.
The application of Feather Friendly Technologies® window film by Convenience Group Inc. to nearby Consilium Place and now to the Scarborough Civic Centre is resulting in a substantial reduction of bird collisions at both complexes. Light gray dots applied with the desirable 2″x 2″ spacing to the exterior surface of glass is the configuration which has proven to be effective.
Architectural design contributors to the project were Jane Burgess and Ashley Stewart of Stevens Burgess Architects Ltd. (SBA), an award winning multi-disciplinary architectural firm providing value-added expertise in conservation, interior sustainable design and urban design. The project was managed by Colonial Building Restoration.
Convenience Group Inc. has provided Window Film Solutions to a wide range of commercial and residential customers in the Greater Toronto Area for over 40 years. As a master distributor, and authorized dealer of 3M window film, Convenience Group is able to offer leading-edge products, highly experienced consulting, superior design and expert installation. The company specializes in working with interior designers and architects who use Decorative Film and Architectural Finishes as part of their designs. For more information about Feather Friendly® Bird Collision Deterrent Technology visit www.featherfriendly.com Convenience Group can also provide true multi-location project management across Canada through their national dealer network Window Film Canada www.windowfilmcanada.ca. Visit CGI at www.conveniencegroup.com or contact 1-888-835-5885.
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 | Oct 3, 2015 | Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons in the News, UltraSonic Bird Control
For decades, the empty lot at the northeast corner of Bowery and Delancey had housed four unique buildings. Including 185 Bowery, a century-old townhouse that the Landmarks Preservation Commission deemed unworthy of preservation; developers decapitated the roof to ensure no landmarking. The row of buildings was demolished in the summer of 2012 so that CitizenM can place a 19-story hotel on the spot.
Bowery neighbors are pissed about the upkeep of this lot, though.
There are two particular concerns with this perimeter of the unbuilt CitiznM hotel. First, shovel the fuckin’ sidewalk outside your plot of land. We understand that you don’t care about the surrounding community, but this is law. According to city ordinance, building and/or business owners are responsible for snow removal in front of their establishments. Failure to do so within four hours after the accumulation ends could result in fines of up to $150 or ten days in jail.
Also, the persistent problem of pigeon feed at this corner.
This issue actually pre-dates the arrival of CitizenM on the Bowery. An old-timer on the block – who is apparently nicknamed Red (naturally) – has been littering this area with bread crusts for years, which has obviously attracted a feeding frenzy of pigeons and seagulls. We caught him unloading a full garbage bag of bread on Sunday, then discarding the remnants (presumably for the rats). Fed-up residents have called 311 to end the avian nightmare, but to no avail.
In sum, CitizenM really needs to do its part in keeping this area from become a full-on health hazard. Will it step up to the plate?
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 | Oct 1, 2015 | Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeons in the News, UltraSonic Bird Control
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An alarming number of band-tailed pigeons have been found dead along the California coast in the last few months, apparent victims of a parasite.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that at least 1,000 of the pigeons, which winter in Central and Southern California, have been found dead in Santa Clara and Santa Barbara counties since December.
Band-tailed pigeons are the West Coast version of the passenger pigeon, which was once the most abundant bird in North America until it was hunted to extinction.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Environmental Scientist Krysta Rogers says the deadly parasite is spread by the common rock pigeon. The sudden increase in mortality is disturbing because the closest living relative to the extinct passenger pigeon has been struggling for decades to recover from rampant hunting, habitat loss and other environmental problems.
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 | Sep 30, 2015 | Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeons in the News
SALEM — Legislation that would expand the use of fireworks to repel birds in Oregon will be voted on by the state House after key lawmakers recommended passing the bill.
House Bill 2432, which would broaden the use of fireworks beyond protecting crops and forest products, moved to the House floor with a unanimous “do pass” recommendation from the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on Feb. 3.
The bill would allow the state fire marshal to issue permits for using fireworks at golf courses, landfills, airports, seafood facilities and other properties, in addition to farms and forests.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal stopped issuing fireworks permits for golf courses and landfills to scare off geese and other birds in 2010, after it was brought to the agency’s attention that such uses were limited by law to farms and forests, said Anita Phillips, license and permits manager for the agency.
The bill would clarify the law and allow the state agency to again issue such permits, she said.
The agency doesn’t expect more than 50 additional applications as a result of the change, Phillips said.
Representatives of the Oregon Farm Bureau, the Humane Society of the United States and the Oregon Humane Society all urged committee members to support the legislation, though they mentioned some concerns.
Animal advocates said that fireworks must be used responsibly because they can frighten pets, while the Oregon Farm Bureau noted there are only two wholesale fireworks dealers who can sell to farmers and other property owners in the state.
During the Feb. 3 hearing, the committee also moved House Bill 2475, which would authorize penalties of up to $100 for veterinarians who commit minor infractions, to the floor with a “do pass” recommendation.
Fines would be the equivalent of a “traffic ticket” for minor violations, such as failing to notify regulators of an address change, that would not reflect negatively on a veterinarian’s disciplinary record, said Lori Makinen, director of the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board.
The committee held a hearing on another bill — House Bill 2474 — that would require the registration and regulation of veterinary facilities to ensure they meet state standards.
State regulators only have authority over veterinarians, not facilities, which could create problems if substandard conditions were found at a clinic owned by a corporation or non-veterinarian, said Makinen.
However, the committee held off on referring the bill to the House floor pending further discussion and possible amendments.
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 | Sep 29, 2015 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeons in the News, UltraSonic Bird Control
The latest annual report released by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) shows a marked increase in the number of asthma patients in the city. The civic body has blamed pigeons for the increase in cases.
According to the health report, more than 10 lakh individuals are suffering from asthma caused by pigeons. The report suggested that birds and their droppings can lead to several diseases, one of them being asthma. A number of asthma cases were reported in Lower Parel, Dadar, Mahim, Kala Chowkie and Worli.
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)
Feed the birds, tuppence a bag” croons the Little Old Bird Woman on the steps of St Paul’s in Mary Poppins. But the winged critters aren’t so popular with everyone; Ken Livingstone tried to eradicate them from Trafalgar Square in 2001 by banning the sale of pigeon food and hiring a hawk to maintain the pecking order. If he’d succeeded in wiping them out completely, what would London be like today? We take a look at pigeons’ place in the London ecosystem.
