Vet college warns of dangers of glue traps after pigeon saved

An injured pigeon has been nursed back to health by staff at the Atlantic Vet College Wildlife Service after it was found in downtown Charlottetown in July covered in a thick, sticky substance.

The vet college is now warning about the dangers of glue traps and other sticky products.

AVC wildlife technician Fiep de Bie says a glue trap is likely the cause of the bird’s misfortune but she said it’s also possible it got into glue from a glue gun.

She hopes people will consider other ways to keep pests away so something like this doesn’t happen again.

Use other traps

“You can think about prevention…closing off areas, not having food around,” said de Bie. “But of course if you have a pest control problem, I would talk to a professional and there are more sophisticated snap traps there that kill animals instantly, instead of having them suffer.”

A pigeon that was found covered in what appeared to be glue has been saved by staff at the Atlantic Vet College. (Submitted by Fiep de Bie)

 

The bird was treated with oils and soap and its wings were trimmed back to get rid of the parts that were stuck together.

“Obviously being completely covered in glue and not being able to move was very stressful to him.”

The vet college had to wait for the pigeon to grow back the new feathers before it could be released.

De Bie said the bird was released back into the wild last week and is doing well.

 

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)

Battle of the pigeon racers against peregrine falcon supporters

A PIGEON racing fanatic fears his birds could be killed by peregrine falcons lured to nest on a Taunton church.

Nesting boxes have been placed on St Mary Magdalene Church to encourage a pair of falcons who roosted there this summer to return and breed.

The £7,000 project includes a webcam and is part of a nationwide effort to boost the protected peregrine falcon population.

But Michael Templeman, who has 40 pigeons in his garden loft in Wheatley Crescent, said it is causing “real concern”.

He said he has lost lots of birds to peregrines over the years and several disappeared following an attack in Taunton this summer.

Mr Templeman added: “Peregrine falcons perform savage and harrowing attacks on smaller birds such as racing pigeons, which is causing devastation among my community.

“If our birds are lucky enough to survive an attack, they become extremely disorientated, and if they’re injured it makes it impossible to train them. It’s truly heart-breaking.

“The fact there’s now a nest box at the church is a huge blow for myself and other fanciers in the area. It’s only a matter of time before our pigeons become victims.”

Lee Fribbins, of Pigeon Racing UK and Ireland, said peregrine numbers have risen since they were introduced into towns through nest boxes on high buildings.

He added: “Pigeon racing plays an important part in our country’s heritage.

“During both world wars, pigeons had a pivotal role in the success of the allies and the birds were the most decorated species of the conflicts.

“The sport also contributes almost £107 million to the UK economy every year and the fancying community provides substantial donations to many worthy charities.

“We need to make a stand to protect both racing pigeons and other small birds before they are lost forever.

“It’s imperative we investigate ways of controlling and managing the increasing population of predatory birds humanely.”

Taunton Peregrine project manager Michael Leigh-Mallory said racing pigeons are descended from the rock dove, which originally lived on cliffs, and has seen numbers shoot up due to increasing amount of food waste in towns.

“The peregrine is constantly having to adapt to an ever-changing and challenging world. It’s still a target for egg collectors and persecution and poisoning still persists,” added Mr Leigh-Mallory.

“We respect the freedom of pigeon fanciers to rear captive breed birds and fly them for sport. However, I’d hope they’d also respect the right of hundreds of others who support the project and gain enjoyment from seeing the pair of peregrines in the wild around Taunton.

“There is room for both in the skies above the town.

“The pair of peregrines are wild and have arrived at the church with no encouragement and in the event of St Mary’s not being available to nest they would select another rooftop in the area.”

He said figures suggest an estimated 2.4 million racing pigeons abscond every year and raptors account for a tiny percentage of pigeon losses.

And while there are 1,500 pairs of peregrines in the country, there are “many millions” of pigeons.

 

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)

BMC demolishes MLA Lodha’s kabutarkhana at Chowpatty

The Shiv Sena claimed that the structure, which was being constructed by local BJP MLA Mangalprabhat Lodha, was illegal. Upping its ante against the BJP, the Shiv Sena urged the BMC to demolish a ‘kabutarkhana’ (feeding place for pigeons) at Girgaum Chowpatty on Wednesday. “That was an illegal construction and we complained to the BMC leading to its demolition,” said a local Shiv Sena vibhag pramukh Pandurang Sakpal. He added that a new, bigger kabutarkhana was being constructed at Chowpatty Bandstand since Wednesday morning in place of the one that was in existence. When contacted, Lodha said he did not want to comment on this “sensitive issue” and added that he was unaware of the action by the BMC.

Upping its ante against the BJP, the Shiv Sena urged the BMC to demolish a ‘kabutarkhana’ (feeding place for pigeons) at Girgaum Chowpatty on Wednesday. The Shiv Sena claimed that the structure, which was being constructed by local BJP MLA Mangalprabhat Lodha, was illegal. “That was an illegal construction and we complained to the BMC leading to its demolition,” said a local Shiv Sena vibhag pramukh Pandurang Sakpal. He added that a new, bigger kabutarkhana was being constructed at Chowpatty Bandstand since Wednesday morning in place of the one that was in existence. “When it comes to Chowpatty, there is a high-power committee, CRZ rules, and no construction can be done there in an arbitrary manner,” said Sakpal, adding that Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai, Lok Sabha MP from South Mumbai Arvind Sawant, MLA Sunil Shinde and former BEST committee Arun Dudhwadkar were present during the demolition on Wednesday evening. When contacted, Lodha said he did not want to comment on this “sensitive issue” and added that he was unaware of the action by the BMC. The BMC assistant commissioner Vishwas Mote confirmed that the BMC had demolished the kabutarkhana and added that the issue had been brought to their notice by locals, and that the action had not been taken under the influence of any political party.

 

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)

Board of Public Works approves $33,000 for pigeon waste cleanup

You do not have to look far to see pigeons in Downtown La Crosse. A big price tag has been put on cleaning up the messes those pigeons are leaving behind.

Last Monday night, the La Crosse Board of Public Works approved $33,000 for pigeon waste cleanup.

“We have an issue with some pigeons roosting above the retail buildings in the Main Street Ramp,” said James Flottmeyer, Parking Utility Coordinator for the City of La Crosse.

According to Flottmeyer, the problem is more than 20 years in the making. The rooftops once separated from the ramp by a divider are now the place many pigeons call home.

“Over the years, they’ve pecked at the insulation to get in on top of the roofs,” Flottmeyer said.

The problem caught the attention of city officials this summer.

“When we had that big rain event at the end of July. Seven inches,” Flottmeyer said. “It caused some problems, because there’s enough of it up there when it got wet, then it gave off an odor.”

Aside from an odor, the pigeon waste poses health risks to people passing by.

“There are potential health issues with any concentration of animal droppings, including pigeon droppings,” said James Cherf, Owner of By James Gallery. “So, people should dispose of  and handle those droppings in an appropriate fashion.”

The clean up is expected to begin at the end of the month. Crews will work to reseal the space between the parking ramp and the business roofing.

“The general public won’t notice the difference at all,” Flottmeyer said. “It’s happening in a confined space between the roof and the bottom of the ramp. So, the cleaning companies will come in, hose down the pigeon droppings that are up there to keep the dust down. Then, they’ll use brooms and shovels to haul it all out.”

With no clear timeline set, business owners hope the repairs are finished before winter hits.

“We are a small city in the middle of the wilderness, so we have lots and lots of food sources for pigeons outside of the city,” Cherf said. “When it starts getting to be more inclimate weather, a lot of these birds do come into our community to harbor.”

The cleanup is by no means a final solution, but it is yet another way the downtown community is coming together to address the pigeon population.

“It’s unrealistic to expect that we’ll ever be able to eradicate pigeons in our downtown area short of eradicating the species,” Cherf said.

This is the second year Downtown Mainstreet, Inc. is using the pigeon-feed contraceptive program to lower numbers of the local pigeon population.

Cherf reminds people that La Crosse does enforce a no feeding policy in city parks. Feeding the pigeons attracts them into the downtown area and encourages population growth. The no feeding policy also extends to squirrels and other wildlife.

 

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)

Man fined £1,300 for shooting pigeon in tree

A pensioner who fatally shot a pigeon as it perched in a neighbour’s tree has been fined £1,300.

Peter Lister used his air rifle to shoot the bird in its wing, Oxford Magistrates’ Court heard last week.

The RSPCA was called after a member of the public discovered the injured wood pigeon, which was taken to a vet and put down due to the extent of its injuries.

The 70-year-old Oxford artist pleaded not guilty, insisting he had nothing to do with the pigeon’s death.

The bird was wounded on January 30 in Southmoor Road, Jericho in a garden neighbouring Lister’s home.

Lister refused the RSPCA’s request to interview him and was described by the charity as ‘uncooperative’.

He denied shooting the bird, despite the pellet dislodged from the pigeon matching one of two air rifles owned by Lister and seized by the police.

At Friday’s court appearance Lister received a £500 fine and was told to pay £750 costs and a £50 victim surcharge.

Magistrates also issued a forfeiture order on the air rifle used to shoot the pigeon.

 

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)