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Friday, 25 November 2005 |
Feed the birds, tuppence a bagThe pigeons who flock to live in the historic Abbeygate, in Bury St Edmunds, now have a new place to call home.In recent years the Abbeygate has been plagued by bird droppings, providing a poor impression to the thousands of visitors to the Abbey Gardens, but a newly-installed dovecote should help to ease the problem – and humanely keep down the number of birds.
The dovecote is believed to be the first of its kind provided by a local authority – and visitors will now be encouraged to feed birds only in a designated feeding area.
St Edmundsbury Borough Council parks and development manager John Smithson said: "Pigeons adapt their numbers to match the available food supply and if feeding is only carried out in one area, this will be easy for us to control."
Council staff will ask anyone they see feeding pigeons to do so only in the provided area. Anyone who persistently refuses may face a fine.
Mr Smithson said: "That would only be a last resort. Staff will be around in the park to remind people there is a proper place to feed wildlife."
In the short term, people will not see much difference, but it is hoped the long-term effect will be to encourage more diverse wildlife into the gardens when the pigeons lose their monopoly on available food.
The area was provided by the borough council following complaints that droppings damaged buildings, blocked gutters and made pavements slippery.
It was officially opened on Tuesday by borough mayor councillor Stefan Oliver, together with pupils from Tollgate Primary School.
The area was set up by the council, working with the Pigeon Control Advisory Service. |
Bird News 