Deterring Pigeons

[lambysdad]

Hi all,

Is there any way that I could deter pigeons from nesting in my garden, but still attract other birds?
We do love having all different birds in our garden..I counted 22 young Blackbirds on the lawn the other morning! But pigeon poo is becoming a real annoyance, they are not my favourite birds and although I wish them no harm I would be glad if they up and left.

Thanks.

[dreamer75]

If you find something let me know! My garden is unusable due to the volume of pigeon poo - the furniture is splattered, and you are at significant risk if you sit out there!

[paintman]

Re-seeded part of our lawn last year.
Pigeons then arrived, ate most of it, crapped all over the place.
Various fluttery devices were bought, fitted & ignored.
The cats did their best, but the pigeons just stayed at the other end of the lawn. Cats eventually gave up as they realised they were wasting their time!
Short of covering the garden with mesh I couldn't think of anything else.
Seed with repellent didn't do much either.
AIUI you aren't supposed to shoot them anymore unless all else has failed & you then need to be able to show that you've only shot the actual culprits not just pigeons. Good Luck with that

[Mr GrimNasty]

Wood pigeons have become a serious pest, the population has exploded, I'm afraid traps/airgun is the only answer.

They've destroyed my cherry and plum trees this year - they just strip the leaves to a stalk and pull off all the unripe cherries and plums.

Blackbirds, you sure? Not normal!

[lambysdad]

Sounds like I'm not the only one with this problem!
I can access the nest so maybe it's worth me moving them? (providing no eggs in etc.)

[Mr GrimNasty]

A couple of empty wood pigeon nests blew out my hornbeam hedges on a few occasions, so yer, nature can be helpful.

[Japveesix]

Mr GrimNasty said:

Blackbirds, you sure? Not normal!

I'd guess at starlings being far more likely. Never seen more than 2-3 blackbird chicks at once.

As for the pigeons, erm, well you could try, erm, er. Nope, I got nothing. They're everywhere.

Try not to feed them should help. I.e. if you have a bird table then put a cage of some sort over it so only small birds can enter.

[fatboy b]

Just had a big fat pigeon land on the gravel pathway just outside our patio window, and drop the biggest turd I've seen a bird do. fker!

[lambysdad]

Mr GrimNasty said:

Blackbirds, you sure? Not normal!

Maybe not then, only looking from the window.....sure I took a pic, if I find it i'll post it up.