Birds
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Under the countryside and wildlfie act 1981, all birds their nests and eggs are protected by law but Schedule 2, Part II of The Widlife & Countryside Act 1981 allows for 11 "nusiance" birds to be controlled. This includs feral pigeons, herring gull and the lesser & greater black-backed gulls. This act doesnt mean however that one can grab a gun and destroy as many as they fell necessary. There has to be good reason for any control of any bird. "Its messing up my new car" is unfortunate and may cause a hole in your wallet but this isnt a reason for a pest controller to be able to control that bird! Reasons for control must be one of a health and safety issue for example. It may be the gulls are attacking/swooping down on you as your entering or leaving your property, it could be that the pigeon guano has got to the stage its a health issue, the guano may be falling to the floor causing a slip hazard. There are numerous reason for control and each situation is different but each situation must be assessed carefully and if deemed that control is necessary the correct control is carried out. This act also determines the methods that they can be controlled by. The use of spring traps, poisons, certain types of net, gassing and sticky substances that may entangle the bird are illegal.
In our part of the country we will only usually control 2 of the 11 birds, the feral pigeon and the herring gull. |