“I am the pigeon fancier who's story was reported in the Sentinel when I was recently robbed of my birds. I have observed Peregrines killing pigeons over a number of years unfortunately,and have probably seen more kills than most bird 'experts'.
Most kills by peregrines are done at a good height at the end of a dive or stoop. They WILL hunt at rooftop height when hungry enough, or if trained to do so, but with a reduced kill rate.
One or two falconers working full time would maybe take at most a dozen or so birds a day, working with very good falcons. How long would it take to reduce the local population of several thousand pigeons if they worked 5 days a week? I suspect the igeons could breed faster than they were killed.
City pigeons soon get streetwise. I was in Hope street recently Watching a pair of Peregrines soaring overhead, but saw no sign of panic in the street pigeons below because they soon learn that it is safe on the ground, or flying from rooftop to rooftop. The breed of pigeon I keep flys at 200ft - 300 ft and so can fall prey to Falcons.To get these town pigeons you could try using a Hawk, The Female Sparrowhawk ( I saw one in Northwood last week), will take pigeons in the air, or on the ground, or rooftops, BUT it can be relentless in pursuit, and would follow pigeons into derelict buildings for example, and could be easily lost.
Pigeons passing on diseases to man. Yes this is often used as justification for culling. Workers or hobbyists who spend time in an enclosed space with birds can develop lung disease, as can workers in dusty jobs if they don't use suitable protective masks. Handling birds you can catch diseases such as psitticosis (in Parrotlike birds) or ornithosis (in other species) if the bird is a carrier of course. This is a nasty flu like illness and can be serious. However cases are rare among pigeon fanciers, and almost unknown in the general population. Workers clearing up
accumulated droppings from any birds should take precautions to not breath in the dust. It may contain a particularly nasty fungus that can build up anywhere where droppings accumulate.This applies equally to any breed of bird.
However the disease aspect is often used by people with a vested interest such as falconers and extermination companies. I once saw an advert saying that pigeons can carry over 25 diseases known to be dangerous to human health. They never replied to my emails when I asked them for a list. When weighing the risks up, I always think of the flocks of pigeons in Trafalgar Square that have sat and pooped on tourists heads and shoulders for generations, but I never heard of anyone getting ill from it. Having said all that, I understand that these feral pigeons can cause a mess and are public nuisance and their numbers need controlling. From a personal standpoint, they can be a reservoir for bird related diseases that could potentaily be be passed on to my domestic pigeons. On balance, they probably do less harm to the environment, and are less of a health threat to humans than the average cat. ;0)”

“Most pest problems could be lessened if food wasn't thrown on the streets and bins were made rodent proof. Humans do seem to have this need to feed the pigeons possibly because as town dwellers it makes them feel closer to nature, but unfortunately most towns have lost the ability to control the increasing population growth of pigeons and rodents due to financial restriction, public opinion and red tape. Introducing natural predators would be the most cost effective and least controversial way of controlling growth.”

“perhaps if people dropped their litter into bins rather than on the streets, the pigeons would find elsewhere to feed, i feel it is cruel we as society encourage the local pigeons to feed, there is a lot worse to deal with in the city centre ( drunks, drug addicts etc), at least you don't feel threatened by pigeons unless you suffer from Ornithophobia”

“Its not going to be cheap if the council was to cull them.
The council stated 3k to start for 15k of pigeons knowing the council more like 25k in the first year.
Then they will fly in again from the parks and surrounding areas LOL.
Bird experts say it works! Give it a go first it may turn out to be cheaper in the long run.
Cheapest method would be to leave them alone but that won't happen.”

“although this idea seems more fair it is a complete waste of money it would cost a lot of money for birds of prey!”

“I havn't seen any myself (haven't looked!) I will take your word that they are.
Other People including Bird experts have said that it does work and that they use dummy birds in Manchester and they work there.
Perhaps its because they are not in exactly the right spot due to the bird deterants that are already there. (spikes on the top of buildings, netting on windows and ledges etc).
They may be able to make the nesting sites for the Peregrines right where they are needed.
I think the bird experts will look into where the pigeons are nesting also.
Anything is better to try than culling first because that is known not to work as it has been tried before over and over again to no avail.”

“yes the bird of prey is a waste of time and money..but isnt that what Stoke are best at...? Wasting time AND money”

“As i pointed out before, there are already Peregrine falcons in Hanley, so the bird of prey idea is NOT a good one,just a waste of money!”

“sjp1170 I think that you are confusing risk to the public with an Industial process (Job) where protective clothing is demanded by health and safety rules to remove a build up caused by neglect over a number of years.
If you keep pigeons as with chickens and other farm animals you have to take precausion against disease but no one would say cull them all otherwise we would have nothing to eat.

I agree Illness is not impossible to catch but has to be take in proportion because their is always risk and diseases to be caught in life.

The councils first response was way over the top as they exaggerated the number (estimated) in Hanley and linked an unrelated (weils) disease to pigeons.

Other diseases are also being blamed on pigeons when there are other more logic reasons for these diseases like your example of Salmonella which is caused by food being kept at the wrong temperature.

I have to disagree also with you on the Rats issue. Rats are known to be a major health issue far far worse than pigeons. (Ask the traders in Burslem the problems they have had with rats they will put you right).

I see the problem now SCC builds a new bus station so the pigeons have die so they don't poop on it! Great!

I like the bird of prey idea if it works as I believe the culling method would have just result in more flying in from the surrounding areas and parks then they would have had to kill the 15 thousand they say are in Hanley (Birds have wings).”

“Neil 100 sorry to disagree. Having worked in pest control the issue of disease is a real one. Type pigeon disease into google and your get listing from numerous organisation all saying the same thing. Though i agree its rare, it does happen! I worked on the West Pier in Brighton prior to in falling down. We were asked to clear the access so they could run their tours. The waste was deemed bad enough that it had to be removed and incinerated. We had to work in full protective clothing because the dust from dried bird dropping can cause breathing issues. Not to mention the damage to property cause by it! I've seen first handle shops, public building etc that have this problem... it can run into thousands!

And i do know of at least one person who got ill.

The problem is simple US!

We feed them, and house them! And both these things can be controlled.

If SCC don't they run the risk of the problem get much worse, especial when current work on the bus depot move to the demolition of the old one. These birds will have to move somewhere! Potteries and surrounding shopping or maybe they will like the new bus station better! But like i said this can be controlled.

The bird of prey idea is great, and has been proven to work in other areas, though again this doesn't solve them problem it just moves it! The question then is where too?”