Susan Jefferson

Having a bird’s eye view is wonderful, especially when you are spending more time at home, however, if birds actually decide to take up residence on your balcony or terrace you will need to take action. By their nature, balconies and terraces can become a natural attraction to some birds, offering shelter from the elements – and sometimes food too. While for some homeowners feeding the birds and spotting different species close up is a source of joy, this can also attract unwanted, pest birds, particularly pigeons, to visit in larger numbers. When are birds a problem on balconies and terraces? The close proximity that balconies and terraces have to the interior of homes means that any pest birds that may be attracted to them are also closer to your home. Many people will feel uncomfortable being in close proximity to birds and their presence alone can deter people from using their balcony and even make it feel out of bounds. More problematic though are the health risks, mess a...

One positive about staying safe indoors during the Covid-19 lockdown is the chance to take time for the little things, such as watching the return of migrant birds in summer. In fact, finding the joy in the little things will quite often make all the difference to the way you feel and watching the returning birds is something that most people can enjoy doing at no extra cost. It will also be another way to help keep children entertained – and can help to boost their understanding of the natural world. From the start of April many favourite species of birds make their way back to the UK to enjoy the summer months here. Which birds migrate from England over winter? The RSPB estimates that as many as 40 per cent of the world’s birds migrate. In the United Kingdom we see birds that migrate here for a milder winter, as well as birds that breed here in spring then migrate south in autumn. These southern migrants returning for the spring will be the ones to look out for over the coming...

As the natural world wakes up from winter, spring brings an increase in activities – including for pest birds. Having spent the winter keeping warm and looking for food, spring will mark a new season of activity for many bird species. Of primary importance when it comes to bird control in the UK is that spring is the time when birds will start to lay down roots, which could cause trouble down the line. Spring signals the start of the main nesting season for most birds – and even for those that breed throughout the year spring is still the most active time. Bird Control UK Pest birds nesting in spring The problem with birds nesting is that if a pest bird species decides to nest at your property you can expect them to remain there. Once birds such as pigeons or seagulls have found a protected spot to nest in, with a nearby supply of food, they will have little reason to move – and their numbers can quickly grow. While birds nesting on your property many not a at first thought seem a majo...

As the natural world wakes up from winter, spring brings an increase in activities – including for pest birds. Having spent the winter keeping warm and looking for food, spring will mark a new season of activity for many bird species. Of primary importance when it comes to bird control in the UK is that spring is the time when birds will start to lay down roots, which could cause trouble down the line. Spring signals the start of the main nesting season for most birds – and even for those that breed throughout the year spring is still the most active time. Pest birds nesting in spring The problem with birds nesting is that if a pest bird species decides to nest at your property you can expect them to remain there. Once birds such as pigeons or seagulls have found a protected spot to nest in, with a nearby supply of food, they will have little reason to move – and their numbers can quickly grow. While birds nesting on your property many not a at first thought seem a major probl...

Seagulls are a year-round problem for many communities but in the nesting season these problems can appear magnified. As the peak nesting season approaches, it might be time to consider installing an anti-roosting system for seagulls to minimise the impact the birds will have on your home or business. Already with a reputation for being noisy and aggressive, the nesting season, which runs through the months of April, May, June and July, can see these issues intensify. As large birds, seagulls can be intimidating and, with their often-reported habit of swooping down to steal food from unwitting passers-by, an increase in aggression will only make this worse. Seagull control in the form of an anti-roosting system is one way to take pre-emptive action against this. The first step in reducing a seagull control problem is by keeping them off your property in the first place. Once they have found a good place to roost with a nearby food supply, seagulls will remain there. How an anti-r...

Over the past 10 years the problem with seagulls appears to have increased as these large birds get ever more confident.    In particular the last few years have  seen  an escalation of the problem  with the need for  bird control  to take action becoming increasingly evident.    Has the seagull problem got worse?   T he number of seagulls  defined as ‘herring gulls’  are actually  in decline, so much so that the species is  red listed  in terms of being endangered. This may seem  at odds if you live in an area that has seen an increased problem with seagulls.    However while the traditional coastal population of seagulls has plummeted  the   number of urban gulls has  risen   sharply  leading to  greater concerns about their impact in towns and cities.  Often the reason for the growth in urban gulls is attributed to the availability of waste food for these opportunistic scavengers , along with plentiful warm, sheltered areas to roost in.    Why are seagulls a pest bird?  ...

Solar panels can be an excellent investment into your home but be  a ware  of  the need for bird proofing to help protect your investment.    Solar panels have grown   rapidly  in popularity over recent years and are a common sight on homes and commercial buildings –  but  they are also popular with the bird population.    As people become more aware of the need to make greener choices that will help to reduce the impact of our lives on the environment ,  solutions such as solar panels are becoming more popular.   Solar panels allow the home owner or business owner to benefit from a clean, free, readily available energy  source  that will ultimately save them money.    However, adding solar panels to your home costs money with the initial outlay often adding up to several thousands of pounds. Throughout the coming years this initial outlay will be offset  but   t he solar panels need to be kept in good condition.       While trees blocking the path of the sun to the panels ...

Solar panels can be an excellent investment into your home but be  a ware  of  the need for bird proofing to help protect your investment.    Solar panels have grown   rapidly  in popularity over recent years and are a common sight on homes and commercial buildings –  but  they are also popular with the bird population.    As people become more aware of the need to make greener choices that will help to reduce the impact of our lives on the environment ,  solutions such as solar panels are becoming more popular.   Solar panels allow the home owner or business owner to benefit from a clean, free, readily available energy  source  that will ultimately save them money.    However, adding solar panels to your home costs money with the initial outlay often adding up to several thousands of pounds. Throughout the coming years this initial outlay will be offset  but   t he solar panels need to be kept in good condition.       While trees blocking the path of the sun to the panels can be one p...