Birds of prey target pigeons

Hawks have been employed by Ridgehill Housing Association to scare off pigeons in the Stratfield Road area of Borehamwood.

Spokesman for the association, Ian Morrison, said the birds of prey were being used because the pigeons had been a nuisance for many years. He said: "Companies using experienced falconers, with specially-trained Harris hawks, had been successful in other estates around the country in tackling the problem.

"The falconer flies the hawk about two hours a day, three times a week, to disturb the pigeons' roosting and feeding patterns. The hawk is intended to act as a deterrent and is fed before flying so that it is not looking to kill the pigeons.