Using Kestrels/Owls for Vermin Control

[Keep it stiff]

Here is a slightly unusual one.

I manage a large industrial building in north Manchester. We have a problem with pigeons. We have employed various physical methods, decoys, PIR activated sounders etc but the pigeons are firmly entrenched.

I have seen birds of prey used as pest control, pigeons scatter like you would not believe but directly the supplier departs from site the pigeons return and companies providing these services are not cheap.

So the question is, how do I go about getting a kestrel or an owl to live on the building to become a permanent resident and a deterrent to pigeons? The building is tall, it is an edge of city location, there is green land adjacent (school playing fields and allotments) and there are two ponds.

I have looked at various websites that provide advice on where to site nest boxes in the hope that they will attract kestrels/owls but it seems to me that the chances of boxes being adopted on the off-chance are slim.

Is it possible to buy or breed such birds, get them familiar with the surrounds and allow them to develop and live from the site? One of our longer standing employees has told that there was a nesting pair of kestrels on the building for several years more than 10 years ago.

Maybe an established bird keeper would be interested in using my site to fly or keep their own birds?

As you will gather I’m no expert! Any suggestions please?

[Terisis]

You're not that far from me, I'm in Derbyshire. I would recommend you talk to James McKay, who is based in Ashover nr Chesterfield. He trains birds of prey and also does pigeon clearance, so could be a good starting point for you. His website is www.honeybank.co.uk