Birds
Bird Pests & Licences
An overview of the General licence
This licence permits landowners, occupiers and other authorised persons to carry out a range of otherwise prohibited activities against the species of wild birds listed on the licence. This licence may only be relied upon where the activities are carried out for the purpose of preserving public health or public safety, and users must comply with licence terms and conditions. These conditions include the requirement that the user must be satisfied that legal (including non-lethal) methods of resolving the problem are ineffective or impracticable.
Special licences can be applied for in other situations.
For General and Special Licences:
England: www.naturalengland.org.uk
Scotland: www.scotland.gov.uk
Wales: www.basc.org.uk
Welsh Assembly: 02920 82523
Northern Ireland: www.ehsni.gov.uk
The UK Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 was produced to protect native wildlife. Certain species, in certain circumstances can be viewed as pests.
These include:
Crow, Collared Dove, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Jackdaw, Jay, Magpie, Feral Pigeon, Rook, Woodpigeon, Canada Goose, Monk Parakeet.
These birds are the subject of a general licence from Natural England can be killed or taken by any authorised person using guns, traps or nets. Further, their nests or eggs can be taken or destroyed. This can only be done in order to prevent serious damage to livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, fisheries in inland waters and to prevent the spread of disease.
The conditions of the licence include the requirement that the user must be satisfied that legal (including non-lethal) methods of resolving the problem are ineffective or impracticable.We interpret this to mean that the possibility of using deterrents and proofing must be explored before resorting to lethal measures.
Feral pigeons
There has been an explosion in the population of feral pigeons and seagulls in towns and cities due to the increasing number of fast food outlets and the general public feeding them.
Pigeons and seagulls damage buildings and property, cause accidents {slips & trips}, contaminate food and carry disease.
In a recent survey, over 50% of feral pigeons were found to be carriers of salmonella. Birds and bird nests can attract various sorts of unwanted insects. Bird droppings and nesting materials can also lead to rodent infestation.
AP Pest Control can provide several methods of bird control and bird proofing.
Lesser black-backed gull
Lesser black-backed gulls can cause damage to buildings with droppings as shown here
Canada geese
Canada Geese have been on the increase in this country for a number of years now. They can cause damage to parks, golf courses and other areas due to their droppings and habit of paddling ground with their feet .