Pigeons!

[guitarcarfanatic]

So I have an issue with Pigeons - currently working on a deterrent strategy (dog has been trained to chase them off), but swarms of the buggers have decided my garden is pigeon paradise. The joys of living in the countryside!

Initial response was to dust off the air rifle as they culminate at the base of my boundary wall so easily shot...no chance of bullet leaving my premises. But...I don't think I can anymore according to this...https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/news/new-2021-general-licences-for-england-119114

So is my interpretation correct? Pigeons can only be shot on the general license for the listed reasons? Appreciate clarity

[Andeh1]

I hate them myself! Also keen for any suggestion, however I'm too much of a softie to kill them myself!

Been wondering about an uber high power green laser!?

[Simpo Two]

Get a sparrowhawk.

Biological control

[Narcisus]

I live 100m from woods and have loads visit my garden with collared doves usually to visit the bird feeder. I find them far too entertaining to get rid off. Watching them scrap to get on the feeder is hilarious bashing each other with wings and having a good peck at each other.

[LeadFarmer]

Wood pigeons are the chinooks of the bird world. They come in heavy and land with a thud, then trample over all my plants.
I do believe they are now protected by law, but there are bloody hundreds of em everywhere.

[Simpo Two]

LeadFarmer said:

Wood pigeons are the chinooks of the bird world. They come in heavy and land with a thud, then trample over all my plants.

It's amazing how they ever manage to take off again.

The noise they make thrashing about in trees mating is remarkable too. That'll be the rotor blades

[Narcisus]

LeadFarmer said:

Wood pigeons are the chinooks of the bird world. They come in heavy and land with a thud, then trample over all my plants.
I do believe they are now protected by law, but there are bloody hundreds of em everywhere.

Very true a few times the feeder could have done with an arresting cable. Sat having a coffee this afternoon and one flew over me in a tight descending arc and totally misjudged the approach taking it directly over the cat at about 2 feet.

The cat went from totally asleep to 2 feet in the air giving the poor Woody a right bash he then juddered on the edge of a stall and barley made it over the fence.

[BoggoStump]

Its time you all start appreciating life.

[Evoluzione]

guitarcarfanatic said:

The joys of living in the countryside

Are that no-one is there to care what you do. Isn't that one of the advantages?

[Narcisus]

BoggoStump said:

Its time you all start appreciating life.

Er... What you on about ?

[Gary C]

FFS, first Gulls, now pigeons ?

Edited by Gary C on Tuesday 22 June 22:08

[eldar]

Gary C said:

FFS, first Gulls, now pigeons ?

Can I just mention grey squirrels?

[anonymous-user]

I had a rat(s) in my garden. The pest control guy said pigeons are far more unhygienic than rats but he wasn’t allowed to tell me how to get rid.
I tried to make a bird table accessible only to small birds but they smashed it up to get access to the food.

[AndyTR]

guitarcarfanatic said:

So I have an issue with Pigeons - currently working on a deterrent strategy (dog has been trained to chase them off), but swarms of the buggers have decided my garden is pigeon paradise. The joys of living in the countryside!

Initial response was to dust off the air rifle as they culminate at the base of my boundary wall so easily shot...no chance of bullet leaving my premises. But...I don't think I can anymore according to this...https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/news/new-2021-general-licences-for-england-119114

So is my interpretation correct? Pigeons can only be shot on the general license for the listed reasons? Appreciate clarity

So as long as you are the landowner or authorised by the land owner and can prove that you are preventing serious damage then you're ok. Also need to be a minimum of 15m from highway/footpath. You do not need to be registered to use the licence, but the gov could pull / change it at any time. If a neighbour complains don't be surprised if plod turn up.

[Gary C]

eldar said:

Gary C said:

FFS, first Gulls, now pigeons ?

Can I just mention grey squirrels?

Them too ? (actually, looks as if you can still)

Not had a gun since my 20's and grew up on game on a Sunday.

They will be banning shooting Rabbits next.

Edited by Gary C on Tuesday 22 June 22:12

[Ledaig]

AndyTR said:

Also need to be a minimum of 15m from the centre of a highway/footpath.

Adjusted for accuracy - the an extra few meters can make a difference for some.

[eldar]

Gary C said:

eldar said:

Gary C said:

FFS, first Gulls, now pigeons ?

Can I just mention grey squirrels?

Them too ? (actually, looks as if you can still)

Not had a gun since my 20's and grew up on game on a Sunday.

They will be banning shooting Rabbits next.

Edited by Gary C on Tuesday 22 June 22:12

Apparently, trapping is optimum grey squirrel strategy. Once trapped it is illegal to release them and illegal to kill them in an inhumane manner.

[guitarcarfanatic]

Thanks all - very useful.

Talking about pigeons always reminds me of this....

https://youtu.be/M0qtuLGS6fI

[Biggy Stardust]

AIUI I can shoot them to protect my fruit trees. Bargain.

Having said that, the cat is an evil little sod who gets a couple of them each week.

[rxe]

eldar said:

Apparently, trapping is optimum grey squirrel strategy. Once trapped it is illegal to release them and illegal to kill them in an inhumane manner.

I find a .22 LR in the head an optimum squirrel strategy. I've discovered that with fragmenting rounds, you can shoot them through the chest when they're on the feeder, and the feeder is undamaged. Pigeons can't fit on the feeder, so they clear up the stuff that the other birds drop, which is fine with me.