Bid to tackle 'plague' of pigeons in Barnoldswick Town Square (From Craven Herald)

Bid to tackle 'plague' of pigeons in Barnoldswick Town Square

8:40am Friday 8th January 2010 in

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Pigeons could be put on the contraceptive pill to stop them plaguing the streets of Barnoldswick.

Contraceptives are just one option being considered to deter the birds from nesting in and around the Town Square.

The birth control pills, which would be administered in pellets left for the pigeons to eat, is considered one of the more humane options to tackle the problem, which has divided Barnoldswick.

Coun David Whipp said a number of options were due to be considered by Pendle Council’s West Craven Area Committee.

“The problem with the pigeons could involve giving them contraceptives, erecting signs asking people not to feed them and people being given grants to pigeon-proof the buildings to discourage them from nesting or roosting there,” said Coun Whipp.

“The town centre forum is also considering getting a falcon display team in during the spring to give the pigeons a bit of a fright.

“This issue is not without some concerns, for some parts of the town think it is a heinous crime to deal with these pigeons. Personally I am a vegetarian and I will not consider killing any creature, so for me these are some of the more acceptable options.”

Town councillor Alison Sauer said: “I have been shocked by the emotions which this issue has stirred up.”

Opinions are divided among Barnoldswick residents.

Amanda Robertson, who was shopping in the Town Square, said: “The pigeons don’t bother me and I’ve never really noticed them. The kids seem to like feeding and chasing after them.”

But shop assistants in The Shambles disagreed, saying something needed to be done. “The pigeons are well established and have been here a lot of years,” said Tina Jackson. “They need controlling. The easiest thing to do would be to stop people from feeding them. I’ve seen people give them loaf after loaf of bread.”

Fellow shop assistant Julie Jackson said: “People should stop feeding them. The window sills and the rooftops are covered in muck and they spread disease.”

Julie is concerned about the safety of young children, including her 10-month-old granddaughter Lily. Her daughter, Katie Lawrence, lives in a flat on Frank Street which overlooks the square.

Katie said: “I have children and I can’t open the window because of all the germs pigeons carry. Recently my house was full of flies because there was a dead pigeon behind the gas fire. I also found the skeleton of another in the gutter.”

Pendle Council bosses have said in a West Craven Area Committee report that birth control could prove impractical as pills would need to be regularly administered to combat the problem.