by Pigeon Patrol | Jun 10, 2015 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Bird Deterrent Products, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons in the News
PHILADELPHIA (CN) -An animal rights groups stalked, harassed and defamed members of the Philadelphia Gun Club – who occasionally use live pigeons as targets – and went so far as to glue dildoes outside the club, members claim in court.
The gun club and eight members sued Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, and Illinois-based animal rights group, and five of its members, Federal Court.
The shooters claim the defendants engaged in a “pattern of harassment, hounding, intimidation, trespass, invasion of privacy and intrusion” against members of the club, which has operated in Bucks County, Pa., since 1877.
The gun club says it uses live pigeons supplied by “pest control companies” 10 to 12 times a year for members to shoot with shotguns loaded with bird shot.
At least 20 times in the past two years, SHARK has set up camp at the club’s driveway and blocked the road, filmed members coming and going, and got access to the property’s security gate code and posted it on the Internet to “incite others to commit physical crimes against the PGC property,” according to the lawsuit.
SHARK members also glued “rubber facsimiles of male genitalia” outside the property, then filmed it and posted the movie on the Internet, according to the complaint.
At least three times in 2013 and 2014, gun club members say, the animal rights group surrounded the property with loudspeakers and played recorded vulgar and profane messages for hours at high volume. They claims that SHARK members jotted down their license plates to try to learn their identities, followed them, created Internet posts identifying them, and posted inflammatory videos of them on the Internet.
SHARK did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. But on its website, SHARK claims that its campaign has reduced the club’s membership.
“I am pleased to inform you that our relentless efforts against the notorious Philadelphia Gun Club have dramatically reduced the number of shooters attending their live pigeon shoots,” an unsigned letter on the website states.
Plaintiffs – who are described in the lawsuit as businessmen or physicians — say they’ve lost business because SHARK posts false “reviews” about them on social networking applications such as Facebook and Yelp.
“The plaintiffs are each well-respected members of their communities, and the contents of defendants’ false and defamatory statements – which include allegations of criminal conduct, of deviant sexual misconduct, of mental illness and cruelty, and of multiple instances of ‘corruption’ and dishonesty – are such that the reputation of each plaintiff has been lowered in the estimation of his community and has deterred third parties from associating or dealing with him,” the lawsuit states.
Gun club members seek $150,000 each for violations of the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, trespass, defamation, libel, invasion of privacy, tortious interference with existing and prospective contractual relations and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
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 | Jun 2, 2015 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeons in the News
A BRISTOL photographer has taken a series of striking pictures showing peregrine falcons hunting pigeons in the heart of the city.
Sam Hobson, 34, has captured a collection of pictures showing the birds snatching the pigeons above Bristol’s skyline, according to the Daily Mail.
Mr Hobson said it was ‘amazing’ to capture the birds hunting above his city.
In Britain, they are usually spotted in the skies above mountain ranges and other remote spaces.
Mr Hobson said: ‘There is something amazing about seeing one of the world’s fastest animals perched on a building you see every day,’ he said. ‘There are plenty of tall buildings in cities for the birds to perch on.’
Mr Hobson, who has been tracking and photographing urban falcons in Bristol for the past two years, said the birds had been attracted to the cities because of their large number of pigeons and other migratory birds.
‘I have seen falcons doing things they don’t do in the countryside,’ he said. ‘For example, I witnessed them hunting at night.
‘The falcons were using the city lights to spot other birds and then swooping on them.
‘We are used to seeing nocturnal hunting behavior in owls, but not peregrines.
‘They were hunting different birds as well, not just pigeons. They preyed on a lot of migratory birds.’
He added that March was a good month for photographing the birds – saying: ‘We are coming up to the time when falcons lay their first eggs of the year.
‘Males are particularly territorial during this time, and attack other birds like seagulls which come anywhere near their nests.
‘A couple of years ago two falcons in Bristol only managed to lay one egg, and a seagull knocked it into the floating harbour. Some workmen managed to fish it out with an umbrella, and it was saved.’
Mr Hobson told the Mail, he had captured the falcons from vantage points on high buildings – while carefully observing their nesting habits to determine where they will appear.
‘I stood on top of a car park all day, waiting for something to happen,’ he said.
‘From the pictures you would think these are really active birds, but often I sit there watching them perched on a ledge, digesting their food all day.’
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 | 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 | 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 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Bird Deterrent Products, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons in the News
FAIRBANKS — One of the places where pigeons congregate downtown is the parking garage on Lacey Street.
Twice per year, a parking garage employee must put on a Tyvek suit, wear a respirator and scrape about 75 gallons of pigeon dung from the concrete floors.
The droppings are loaded into thick bags and disposed of in the hazardous materials area at the landfill.
“Pigeon crap weighs a ton,” said Marcus Dodge, executive director of the Fairbanks Parking Authority. “It’s not a lot of fun to clean up.”
Dodge has noticed in recent years the downtown pigeon population seems to be growing. Others agree. Businesses are experimenting with ways to deter the bird.
The pigeons are a nuisance, Dodge said, and their poop is damaging property.
The droppings contain ammonia and uric acids that are eating away at the sealant on the parking garage’s concrete floor.
The pigeon guano also contains communicable diseases, though the risk of catching a disease from pigeon poop is low.
One pigeon can produce up to 25 pounds of guano per year, according to a government report “Curbing the Pigeon Conundrum,” detailing the pigeon problem in New York City.
A hatch on a Swedish church tower inadvertently left open since the 1980s resulted in two tons of pigeon droppings collecting in the tower, according to news reports.
Pigeon droppings are blamed for speeding the decay of a bridge in Minneapolis that collapsed in 2007, killing 13 people and injuring many more.
In Fairbanks, roofers last summer discovered six inches of pigeon dung on the roof of the Courthouse Square, a maintenance worker said.
Cathie Harms, spokeswoman for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, said pigeons were brought to Fairbanks by hunters and dog trainers. They are not a native bird.
“Pigeons are pretty darn flexible,” Harms said. “They will eat a variety of food. They are prolific breeders. They will roost anywhere they can get a degree of shelter.”
Charlie Cole, who has kept an office in downtown Fairbanks since 1957, said he has noticed the pigeon problem is getting worse.
Cole didn’t pay much attention to the bird until recent years, he said.
They are nesting near his building, and Cole has been talking with his neighbors about collaborating to fend off the bird.
“They leave droppings around warm air outlets where they congregate,” said Cole, a former Alaska Attorney General. “I think it’s a nuisance.”
A couple of months ago, a maintenance worker for the Springhill Suites Marriot decided to try a recording of predator birds to deter pigeons from gathering on the eaves of the hotel.
The recording could be heard a couple of blocks away and annoyed some of the hotel’s neighbors.
“The machine is off,” said Penny Cotten, vice president of marketing and communications for the company that manages the hotel. “There is no point. It doesn’t work. People don’t like it.”
Architect David Whitmore, who owns a building on Third Avenue, said 15 to 20 pigeon nests were discovered in the gap where the corner of his building meets three neighboring buildings.
“It’s poopsville,” said Whitmore, who is thinking of putting a net over the gap so the pigeons move on.
Whitmore is indifferent to the pigeon problem.
“It’s always good to have tolerance with animals,” he said. “We’re in this community together.”
Robert Franklin, a maintenance foreman for JL Properties Inc., which manages the Courthouse Square and the Northward apartment building, has a different point of view. He describes pigeons as flying rats.
Pigeons make extra work for guys like Franklin.
“They’re a hazard to the equipment. They’re a hazard to people,” he said. “They get into stuff they are not supposed to.”
Franklin uses spike strips and owl decoys to repel pigeons with mixed success, he said.
He moves the owl decoys once the pigeons get used to them.
Harms said the best way to deter pigeons is to eliminate their source of food.
“We are aware that some people are feeding pigeons,” she said. “If there wasn’t as much food, there wouldn’t be as many pigeons.”
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 19, 2015 | Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Deterrent Products, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeons in the News
Bird fans are in a flap after there appeared to be fewer of the feathered inhabitants around Redhill’s shopping area and station in recent weeks.
Natalee Spencer, 20, said she feared for the birds’ safety when they did not take the food she left.
She told the Mirror: “I was wandering through the town centre on my way to work one day when I noticed I couldn’t see many of them.
“I sometimes put some food out for them because they need to eat too. But I couldn’t see any of them around so I just left the food on the ground.
“That night I went to Sainsbury’s with my dad and the food was still there. It hadn’t been touched. I was worried there had been a cull or something.”
Others have also noticed the area around Redhill Station, once littered with pigeon droppings, is now clearer.
Daniel Nixon, 36, who works in the area, said: “I have noticed the pavement is cleaner these days; there doesn’t seem to be so many birds chilling out overhead.” “Pigeons have no predators and they have an easy life with food easy to find.
“If their easy life has been disturbed by roosting being made more difficult or less food being available, then they might have simply gone somewhere else where it is easier for them.”
He added the pigeons could have caught a bug which depleted the population, but could not be sure without investigating.
In response to concerns about bird droppings on the pavement, Network Rail said it would look into installing new measures, such as mesh or nets, to deter the birds.
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)
PHILADELPHIA (CN) -An animal rights groups stalked, harassed and defamed members of the Philadelphia Gun Club – who occasionally use live pigeons as targets – and went so far as to glue dildoes outside the club, members claim in court.
