Pigeons

[Pudcat]

How can I get rid of so pigeons

[Baldric]

What is a so pigeon?

[wildwood]

If you are having trouble with wild pigeons, contact your local council for advice. Don't use poison though. Very nasty.

[Mosaic]

Sparrowhawks, ma'am.

Go on - spot the quote....

[sandyRoe]

Putting the boot in? :-)

[jomifl]

Every autumn our village (in France)hosts a pigeon shoot, so for a few hours the sound of shotguns resounds about the place as the population of panic stricken pigeons flies around in a gradually diminishing flock. I think this years score was in the region of about 700. It depends on where you are, in the country you can shoot them but in town the only humane way is to trap them.

[sandyRoe]

How do you say, Pigon Pie, in French?

[sandyRoe]

^^Pigeon.

[RATTER15]

Where are they perching, what problem are they causing?

They can easily be trapped and destroyed and eaten.

Poisoning them is illegal!

[Jennykenny]

I've seen a large plastic owl on the roof of one of our local pubs. Might be worth a go?

[Milvus]

It's very unlikely Ratter that a person living in domestic residence would qualify under the General License, to take and destroy pigeons (or other stated birds).

[jomifl]

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wild-birds-licence-to-take-or-kill-for-conservation-purposes

[jomifl]

Iit seems as that if you are the landowner or authorised by the landowner you can catch pigeons, you don't need to actually have a license.

[viv41]

I think the best way, as somebody has already suggested, is a large bird of prey lookalike on the roof. Don't believe in hurting them.

[Milvus]

The General license is more complex than your view Jomfli. In order to kill birds under the General license you must be able to show that it was to either: Prevent serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, fisheries or inland waters, and/or
Prevent the spread of disease.
You should also have tried scaring and or proofing and shown that they are impractical before you move onto trapping or shooting.
As I said before it is unlike that a person in a domestic residence will comply. The problem then is that if your actions are reported you would then need to prove the above points. If you fail then you fall under the Wildlife and Countryside act 1981 which protects all UK birds from being killed unless allowed under other laws such as the General License above or in season, game birds. Pigeons are not game birds and cannot be shot soley for the pot. Fines are hefty and can be in the region of £5000