Stop the pigeons!
"Rats
with wings" or a London landmark? Say goodbye to Trafalgar Square's
pigeons.
For generations, bird lovers young and old have flocked
to Trafalgar Square to enjoy a close encounter with its famous pigeons.
However, the flutter of wings may soon disappear from the square forever,
as a ban on feeding the birds comes into effect on Monday.
For three years, Mayor Ken Livingstone has made it
a personal goal to reduce square’s pigeon population. Calling
them “rats with wings,” he issued a report in September
2002 claiming the birds could transmit diseases and their corrosive
droppings threatened many heritage-listed buildings. The cost of cleaning
the square was estimated at over £100,000 per year.
The Greater London Authority (GLA) withdrew the licences
of pigeon-feed sellers and brought in a hawk handler to cull the birds.
It also placed wardens on the site to discourage the public from bringing
their own food. The final step occurred on Monday, when a £50
fine for feeding the pigeons came into effect.
Pigeon numbers have dropped from the thousands into
the hundreds since these measures were introduced. GLA spokesman Ben
McKnight said: “People have responded very positively to the
reduction of pigeons. They say it far more pleasant and clean in the
square.” He thought it unlikely that they would have to enforce
the ban. “People have heeded the signs in the square that say
not to feed the pigeons and have responded positively when heritage
wardens have intervened.”
Not
everyone has welcomed the change. Save the Trafalgar Square Pigeons
is the most vocal opponent to the plans. Niel Hansen, spokesman for
the group, said: “We don’t believe the numbers should
have been reduced. However, we said that if you are going to do it,
you should at least do it humanely.” They claimed the feeding
ban would cause thousands of pigeons to starve to death and denounced
use of the hawk as “blood sport”.
In December 2002, after two years of protests and
daily pigeon feeding by a band of volunteers, the group cut a deal
with the GLA. The birds are now given a controlled feeding every morning
and an independent scientific group is monitoring their welfare.
Tony Sainsbury, head of wild animal health and welfare
at the Zoological Society of London, is behind the monitoring programme.
Since May, his team has been recording population size and performing
thorough health checks on the birds. “We were looking for changes
relating to the food reduction scheme,” said Mr Sainsbury. “We
haven’t seen any noticeable changes in their health.”
Grahame Madge, spokesman for the RSPB said: “A
ban on feeding is a long term, stable way of addressing the problem.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that birds will starve, but they
probably won’t rear as many young and you will get a much more
balanced population as a result.”
But many lament the ban. Labour MP Tony Banks protested
that the pigeons were, “part of the London scene, enjoyed by
citizens and visitors alike.” Writer and animal rights activist
Carla Lane said: “politicians do not understand how much people
love feeding the pigeons. If a pigeon lands on a child’s shoulder
it will paint a good picture in their mind and show them all animals
are worth caring for.”
However, the London Tourist Board said that the square
is drawing more visitors than ever. A £25 million refurbishment
- providing an outdoor café and disabled access - and free
concerts drew 100,000 people over the summer. Spokeswoman Ruth Reinicke
said: “Londoners are reclaiming the square, which is important
because it should be a place for the whole city. Tourists might miss
the pigeon feeding, but we still have enough of them there for atmosphere.”
- 19 Nov 2003
