Hawks Deployed at East Yorkshire Stations to Fight Pigeon Problem

Hawks are now patrolling Northern train stations. This plan started in February and lasts 12 weeks. They are using Harris Hawks at three stations: Filey, Beverley, and Driffield.

The hawks scare pigeons away from nesting areas. Northern stated they won’t hunt pigeons. This trial could expand to other stations. Pigeons cause problems for the train company; they damage roofs and leave harmful droppings.

Northern tried other methods before this trial. They used fake owls and hawk sounds. They even smeared fire gel on the station roof, but pigeons kept nesting anyway.

Alex Hornby spoke about the pigeon problem. He said fake owls didn’t work well and real birds of prey are now helping them. Pigeons bother customers a lot and create extra work for staff. Northern wants humane ways to keep pigeons away.

Spikes and netting worked better in some spots. These stopped birds from nesting there, but pigeons just moved to different areas. Northern also asked riders to stop feeding the birds.

Rentokil, a pest control company, supplied these hawks.