Pigeon poo featured during the tourism ward forum held in the Courthouse on Monday afternoon. The pigeons have always been in Nairn in numbers and since one or two of their normal roots have been demolished in recent years they have moved to new locations and perhaps we notice their droppings a little more because of that. Sparrowhawks are active in the town though and must be having an impact on the pigeon population.They can be seen sometimes partaking of pigeon at any time during the daylight hours.
Thanks to Dave Whittaker for the picture below. Dave tells the Gurn that the bird was snacking in Gordon Street and was, unfortunately a bit slow getting off the ground with its haul as a car accelerated towards it. Dave reports that the hawk was dealt a glancing blow by the car windscreen and dropped its meal and went into a nearby tree and seemed to have been unhurt. Drivers please give way to sparrowhawks?
Aye, those pigeons can certainly put down roots and spread like weeds once they're established
ReplyDeleteWell spoted Alex, might just leave that one there :-)
ReplyDeleteNairn Pigeons are currently hit by a viral disease and are easy prey to cars and sparrowhawks. I have had 2 sick pigeons die on me in the past week. The virus does not affect humans or other bird species, but kills about 70% of pigeons infected, there is no cure which is a great pity.
ReplyDelete@ anon, no not Gordon Street as far as this observer knows.
ReplyDelete@ Paul Murray, go and speak to the caretaker Paul, he is a very approachable guy.
ReplyDeleteYes car drivers with a ton of machinery at their control, please be considerate when you see wildlife in the middle of the road and slow down if you can do so safely to allow creatures to get off the road or, as in this instance, fly off with its unfortunate pray.
ReplyDeleteits a pity that some people activly also feed the pigeons which are just the same nuisence as seagulls. some pavements are a disgrace and it is an health issue with the amount of pigeon poo deposited
ReplyDeletehello mr Gurn. it appears only half my post made it on this thread yesterday annon @8.16am ?
ReplyDeleteYes sometimes we decide not to publish everything :-)
ReplyDelete