by johnnymarin | Nov 27, 2017 | Bird Deterrent Products
The council recently carried out a major overall of Forum Square and the Westgate shopping centre entrance with newly planted trees, paving, seating and performance spaces.
But some local and national media including the Sun carried reports criticising the council for installing spikes to keep the pigeons off the trees.
The council has hit back at the criticism, and issued a statement saying: “We are piloting some pigeon prevention methods across the town, along with a stop feeding the pigeons campaign, because they can cause mess and disease.
“This is a standard anti-pigeon measure used in towns and cities across the country. On shops, trees, churches, all sorts of places.
“They do not hurt pigeons, but deter them from roosting in a particular area.
“We aim to deter pigeons from roosting in the town centre, including this area where people sit outside to eat and drink on new benches and outside coffee shops.”
It added: “Pigeons can cause mess and transmit serious diseases including meningitis, E-coli, Salmonella and Listeria.
“These spikes were already in place on shop canopies in Stevenage and around the country, and have been for many years. We added these new ones after improving the square this summer with new benches, lighting and trees.”
But the town’s Conservative MP Stephen McPartland has hit back at the decision, saying: “It’s completely stupid.
“Trees are there for birds to use, but this is typical of the idiocy of Stevenage Borough Council. These trees have been there for years, they’ve never needed spikes before.”
In the advice it issues about living with pigeons, animal welfare charity the RSPCA mentions a number of methods of preventing them from landing including wire structures, netting and spikes.
On spikes, referred to by the RSPCA as ‘spines’, it says: “Anti-perching devices, such as spines, are considered to be one of the most humane ways of trying to minimise the problems these birds can cause. The spines are usually angled so that they are awkward to land on but will not impale the bird but some may also be designed to bend but be firm enough to provide an uncomfortable perching or roosting place for the bird. However, it is vital these are installed appropriately by trained professionals and inspected regularly.”
The RSPB gives advice on its website including: “Ledges can be protected by fitting specially designed spike strips or metal coil, or converting the ledge to a slope.”
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 johnnymarin | Nov 26, 2017 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
FROM changes to aerodrome laws to questions about city water pressure, the Toowoomba Regional Council’s Tuesday committee meeting was filled with vital updates for residents.
The Planning and Development, Water and Waste and Infrastructure Committees were run at the council chambers this morning, with the final three portfolios held tomorrow.
All items will then be reviewed at the ordinary meeting next week.
1. Aerodrome law changes
Unusual incidents at aerodromes in the region, including homing pigeons and abandoned aircraft, have pushed the council’s infrastructure committee to rip up its previous local laws around the spaces.
Aerodrome operations manager Barry Wicks introduced the new legislation to the council, which he said were brought on to plug gaps in the previous laws that had been exposed over the past six years.
“The new draft Local Law No.6 (Aerodromes) 2017 has been prepared to better align with the current operating environment and management practices of the aerodromes controlled by the Toowoomba Regional Council, and to provide greater clarity about these practices than is contained in the current local law,” he said in the report.
The councillors were informed that various events since 2011 had exposed the limitations of the previous local law, No. 39 (Public Aerodromes).
“For example, in 2012/13 difficulties were encountered in dealing with homing pigeons released for daily exercising directly beneath the approach to Runway 11, and removal of an abandoned aircraft which had sat on the airfield for over 15 years,” the report said.
Cr James O’Shea said while the council always used education and negotiating as a first point of call, the new laws allowed people to be penalised if their activities infringed on an airspace.
2. New water pressure minimums
THE issue of “minimum water pressure” to new developments was a strong discussion point in the committee meeting this morning.
The council voted to amend the Planning Scheme Policy No.3 to include updated minimum water pressure levels for new property developments, increasing from 22ml to 30ml for residential proposals and from 25ml to 35ml for commercial land.
This however was revealed to be merely a recommendation that the TRC will suggest to developers, with the state-mandated minimums remaining the same (22ml and 25ml).
Cr Nancy Sommerfield, who has received complaints from residents about Toowoomba’s water pressure, said the council had no power to force developers to follow the new minimum water pressure guidelines.
“It’s our desire that they go with these minimums, but we’ve got no teeth in it,” she said.
“If they want to hook and set up this new development, if the capacity is not there to deliver these new minimums, they have to pay the council to upgrade the infrastructure.”
3. New housing lot numbers plummet
THE number of new and sealed lots approved by the Toowoomba Regional Council fell to 12-month lows, according to the latest report on development approvals.
Just seven new lots were approved and 18 sealed in August, compared with eight and 213 in July, while house and unit applications also dropped off.
“During the same period 108 new houses were constructed, indicating a higher lot consumption compared to new lots released,” Planning and Development general manager Stewart Somers said in the report.
In other news, the value of building approvals has steadily increased since September last year, and now sits just over $50 million.
4. Boost for farmers moving large ag equipment
LANDHOLDERS who need to use council roads to transport over-sized agricultural equipment like harvesters received a leg-up thanks to a new council framework.
The infrastructure committee approved the changes this morning, which would make it easier for farmers to apply for permits to move vehicles short distances on council roads.
The need for new laws was flagged back in 2015.
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 johnnymarin | Nov 25, 2017 | Pigeons in the News
A mystery animal lover spent £60 sending an injured pigeon to a wildlife sanctuary in Nuneaton – by taxi.
The bird arrived at the Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary in Oaston Road in the back of a cab sent from Aston in Birmingham 25 miles away.
Stunned sanctuary owner Geoff Grewcock said the centre received a call to say that an injured animal would be arriving in a taxi – but even he could not believe his eyes when it turned up in the back of the vehicle in a box.
The journey alone would have cost £60 and the kind animal lover had even sent cash for the sanctuary too.
“It was incredible,” said Geoff, who has run the sanctuary for 16 years.
“The woman had sent the pigeon in the back of a taxi, on its own, from Aston to us here, and even sent a donation for us as well, I could not believe it.”
He explained that the animal lover had found the injured pigeon and taken it along to the PDSA in Aston.
“They said that they would have to put it down but she said ‘No, you are not’,” he explained.
“That’s when she phoned us here. She told us that she would be sending it in a taxi, and she did. It was marvellous, it just goes to show the lengths that some people will go to care for animals, it is incredibly kind.”
He has admitted that he has seen some sights during his time at the animal haven, but none like the arrival of the injured bird at the weekend.
“It was strange knowing a taxi was coming with a pigeon in the back but it goes to show what loving, caring people there are out there,” Geoff added.
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 johnnymarin | Nov 24, 2017 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
A HEADLESS pigeon found in Salisbury city centre has been blamed on a “cruel idiot” after youngsters were seen kicking its head around in “a barbaric act”.
Wildlife rescue volunteers say they were disgusted to receive a report of the decapitated bird in the Market Place on Thursday.
They said the bird’s head had been kicked about by youths for fun, with “no respect whatsoever” for the animal.
The gruesome discovery was reported by a member of the public to Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital, based in Newton Tony.
Police are treating the case as one of animal cruelty.
Wildlife care supervisor Marilyn Korkis said in a post on Facebook: “I can’t tell you in words how disgusted I was receiving a call from a clearly upset gentleman who came across a feral pigeon in Salisbury Market Place with its head detached from its body.
“I can only surmise it was deliberate, done by some cruel idiot for fun.”
The incident was reported to the police in the hope of finding CCTV evidence.
A photograph of bird’s headless corpse was posted on the Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital Facebook page.
Readers were quick to condemn the “sick” act.
Kimberley Louise Crew posted: “What a sorry, revolting, state the human race is becoming.
“Poor creature.”
Eleanor Campion wrote: “Shame on whoever mutilated this bird and those who thought kicking it about was a game.”
Nina Griffin posted: “Let’s hope CCTV can be revealed and if it was youths their parents can see what a awful thing they have done and hopefully teach them the right way of how to respect animals!”
Other Facebook users suggested it could have been the work of a fox or a cat.
Michael Growcott said: “A person would have to be pretty nimble to nab a pigeon.”
But Ms Korkis responded: “It was broad daylight in the city centre, I don’t think so! Town pigeons are very slow as they rely on humans dropping morsels for them to eat.”
A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “We are investigating an incident of animal cruelty involving a pigeon outside the Guildhall in Salisbury on 5 October at approximately 6pm.
“Officers will be analysing CCTV in the area and carrying out enquiries.
“Anyone with information should call police on 101.”
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 johnnymarin | Nov 23, 2017 | Pigeons in the News
Smokey, the King Ro cat – or, as he thinks, “the King of Round Pond” — had quite an unexpected, unwanted experience this weekend. Smokey was scooped up a mere 10 or so yards from the store — his home — and taken to the animal shelter. From what we can piece together, someone from away thought that a cat out and about is not the norm and called animal control. While their hearts may have been in the right place, please realize that in a small town in Maine, cats do go out and hunt — they are not all indoor cats.
At the age of 22, the experience was very upsetting for him. Once I got him back to King Ro, as you can see by the accompanying photo, he immediately felt a cat nap was in order in one of his favorite spots at the store. Many, many thanks to the kind people at the animal shelter. They certainly go above and beyond.
It has been a very difficult time for so many people in the area. One of the kindest, best people you could hope to encounter was killed in a motorcycle accident last Thursday. Kevin Willey has always been one of the very favorite customers to come into King Ro and will be missed beyond words. Kevin would walk through the door, always with a huge smile, and brighten everyone’s day. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Kevin’s beloved, Storm Hildebrandt. There will be a service on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. at Broad Bay Congo Church in Waldoboro, next to Hall’s Funeral Home. A reception will immediately follow at the American Legion in Damariscotta.
I finally had to take action against my invasion of pigeons. I stopped filling my feeders for almost two weeks, hoping that they would move on to greener pastures. After a few days, they did disappear, but unfortunately all of my other feathered friends flew on to other feeders as well. A couple of days ago I refilled all feeders and the finches are slowly coming back, but thankfully no sign of pigeons as of yet. I apologize ahead of time to whoever’s feeders they are invading now!
This Friday, Oct. 13, will be the first Friday Night Dinner at King Ro for the season. We will be serving a full turkey dinner from 5:30-8: p.m. Steph will be making pumpkin cheesecake and apple pie, along with yeast rolls. We look so forward to seeing all of the hungry folks again.
I am going to give Buddy Poland Jr. credit for this week’s quote: “Do a job that you like and you’ll never work again.”
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)
