Letter: How to deal with bird women and feral pigeons
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: It is a sad fact that human "pigeon-friends" do contribute to the problem of overpopulation of feral pigeons in cities throughout Europe. However, to send a kindly elderly person to jail for feeding them appears as cruel and unacceptable as the usual means employed of reducing pigeon populations (ie shooting, poisoning and gassing).
Here in Leek we are trying an experiment, under the auspices of the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, to control the local pigeon population without the horror of the annual cull (or the necessity of imprisoning pensioners). This involves providing lofts that can be cleaned and from which eggs can be removed. This is not only a humane alternative to killing pigeons, but a more effective one. We have provided "bird feeding areas" in the local park, and all but a very few people have now ceased to feed the birds in the town centre.
Our experiment is still in the very early stages, but we have birds breeding in the purpose-built cote, and it is hoped that after a few months they will return there to roost, thus alleviating the perceived problem in the town centre. We hope by limiting the food supply (and by removal of eggs) to control the numbers.
Yours sincerely,
Cynthia Lubacz
Leek, Staffordshire
26 July
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments