Solar Panels
Installing solar panels on your roof can sometimes have the effect of offering nesting birds a safe place to roost. We suggest that if you are not happy with that you ask the installers to block the access points when they first attend. If you try and do it afterwards, often you will only get pest control who won't be able to lift the panels, and will just kill the birds by trapping which is illegal. This will be the responsibility of the bill payer, so please wait for the nest to be vacated (6-8 weeks) or have a wildlife rescue on standby. We have had discussions with the solar trade industry to see if they can offer solutions
Abandoned Buildings
No need to get pest control to get pigeons to leave your building when you need it back! You can block the holes when the birds are out, and take any nestlings to a rescue. Don't let pest controllers promote the idea of blocking the birds in until they die, that's illegal. We can offer advice and local people to help.
Cutting Trees and Hedges
People do need to familiarize themselves with the law surrounding tree/hedge cutting when works are planned. The law is don't cut them between end of March and end of August when birds will be nesting. Councils know the law and hence developers always make sure tree felling is done in the winter. Many tree surgeons appear not to know the law. A reputable arborist will offer sound advice. If you disturb a nest it is an offence and the responsibility of the bill payer. Unfortunately it does appear that HS2, 5G and other big organisations can get round this law, but can still be reported.
Found an injured bird?
We can't stress enough that there are many wildlife lovers throughout the UK and overseas who rescue, treat, release or re-home injured birds (and animals). Many sanctuaries, many trained individuals, a great deal of expertise and knowledge. Please search Facebook groups for your local area and use this excellent website
http://www.helpwildlife.co.uk . A vet who is not an avian vet or the RSPCA are not necessarily the best or only option. When you take to a rescue please remember they can only continue to operate by donations.
Stranded gulls
Any gulls who remain on the ground when you approach them probably need help. Mostly it is youngsters who have not found their wings yet. A great number jump off the roof before they fly, sometimes it is helpful to put them back with some water. They will be watched by parents, they cannot always stop them going into danger, but they can of course dive bomb the rescuer!
Older gulls may be injured , sick or walking around with fishing hooks or lines on them. Catch if you can and find a facebook group of local rescuers.
Too many gulls
Many towns have a real issue with Gulls, various studies have been done and unfortunately hundreds of licences have been applied for to control numbers. They are a protected species and some are of conservation concern, killing is a temporary solution and can often increase numbers. There should be ways to live alongside them. There have been some successes in Switzerland and this will be on our corporate site shortly.
Racing Pigeons
This is a cruel "sport", for those that don't know what happens it would be good to research it. But if you find a grounded banded pigeon, it will be exhausted, hungry and dehydrated and needs to be picked up. If a racing pigeon is successfully in with a flock of wild pigeons then let it be. But racing pigeons on their own trying to find food and shelter should not be left, and only in exceptional circumstances should they be rested and released again. The owner should collect or pay for a courier, and only with a reassurance that they actually want a lost bird back. The ring number will have contact details on it, and will also tell you the age of the bird, so many are very inexperienced on their first flight and are a bit scared.
Birds under bridges
For some reason rail companies consider netting bridges to be the only response to complaints of birds sitting on them a sort of one size fits all solution . There are other options and our corporate site will detail them. but meanwhile if any birds are trapped in nets on bridges the following are course of action you can take. Report to Network Rail call centre, or the local council. both will deny they are responsible but keep going. Network Rail have bridge numbers on all their bridges, but use sub contractors to do the netting. They should come back within 4 hours of it being reported. Contact the RSPCA call centre (0300 123 999) if the birds are in distress as they can often get the fire brigade to attend, but unfortunately RSPCA are suffering from lack of resources at the moment, so you may need to make more than one call and send photographs.
Wood pigeons
Wood pigeons are often shot because the General Licence currently allows them to be shot to 'protect crops'
However the truth is that they are shot because people like shooting them and it is very big business. Wood pigeons browse in fields which in fact can increase the yield as they pick out the weeds. Subsidies are paid to farmers so it often doesn't matter if wood pigeons have been in the fields, they are not locusts! If you are affected because it is near to your home or you are on a country walk you can report to the police asking them to check the terms of the land owners licence for shooting. The shooting industry object to the current rules amongst which are they (1) can only shoot while crops are actually growing not before.(2) have to prove crop damage, (3) have to prove they have used other methods first (like moving their scarecrow around).