by Ryan Ponto | Nov 16, 2016 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent
A stubborn pigeon has been filmed refusing to move in a busy city road, forcing every car to go around him or stop before a pedestrian finally dragged him out of the way.
The video shows seven vehicles swerving into the adjacent lane while going around the pigeon as he refused to move on a road in Birmingham on Friday.
The eighth vehicle stopped dead in its tracks so as not to run over the bird.
A pedestrian rushed into the centre of traffic to resolve the stand-off, removing the pigeon himself.
The pigeon was caught on camera dodging traffic on the bustling Pershore Road, near Calthorpe Park, during the lunch time rush hour.
But the bird but somehow survived on a wing and a prayer.
The unflappable character refused to move for man, beast or car, the Birmingham Mail reports.
His actions caused numerous drivers to slow down and swerve.
After a few minutes, a good Samaritan spotted the plucky pigeon, scooped it up and placed it in the safety of the road side.
A man called Alex filmed the episode.
He said: “I only noticed it sitting in the road as I walked past.
“I thought it was a bit funny of the pigeon.
“It’s as if the pigeon was having a lone protest, possibly for food.
“I only noticed when a car blew his horn for a car which had stopped, then everyone was just driving around the pigeon to avoid hitting the little guy.
“It’s possible the pigeon was weak but it’s also possible it was stubborn and simply refused to move for anyone or any vehicle.
“It’s not the kind of reason you’d expect to have a tailback on a busy road in Birmingham.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Ryan Ponto | Nov 8, 2016 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Bird Deterrent Products
FOR a pigeon breeder, it’s the ultimate feather in the cap: to win the Australian National Pigeon Show.
Phil Young, from New Norfolk in Tasmania, has been breeding pigeons for nearly 40 years, yet so far the victory has remained elusive.
“I’ve got a four-door dressing table in the garage that is full of trophies and ribbons from agricultural shows around Tasmania and Australia,” says the 68-year-old, who is the president of the Royal Hobart Show pigeon and poultry committee.
“The Melbourne Cup is the pinnacle of racing and for our sport, the Australian National Pigeon Show is the big one.
“But no, I’ve never won it.”
Heaven knows he has tried hard enough.
Starting with a breeding pair 38 years ago, Phil now has 250 pigeons in six breeds, kept on his residential block in lofts in four aviaries, measuring 25m long and 6m wide.
“It’s like an alarm clock in the morning with the cooing,” Phil says.
“There can be a fair bit of noise, but we’ve got very good neighbours — they used to show parrots so they understand.”
Every morning and night Phil feeds his brood a special grain mix (costing $100 a week), as well as a protein mix for special birds, and estimates he spends at least two hours a day tending to their needs.
In the lead up to competition day, however, he and his wife, Sue, can spend much of the day preparing the birds.
“If we’re going to the Nationals we prepare for a month beforehand. My wife can be in the yard up to midnight shampooing the birds, especially the tail feathers, then drying them with a hairdryer.
“We put powder in their feathers to sweeten them up a bit and make them soft.
“We use clippers on their feet and a nail file on their beaks.
“Some of them enjoy it. The most flighty are the magpies, they don’t want to work with you. But the dragoons or the tumblers really concentrate and do everything to help. Of course the more you handle a bird, the more they work with you.”
The Youngs have 15 breeding pairs of magpie pigeons, 20 pairs of British show racers, 10 pairs of dragoons, six of English carriers, seven Australian performing tumblers and five British racers.
Phil, who is also a judge at agricultural shows and the president of Tasmania’s Meander Valley Pigeon Club, says there are characteristics in each breed that make a winning bird.
Similar to the cattle or sheep show ring at agricultural shows, pigeons lose points based on conformation — bones, feathers, beaks, eyes and body shape are all scrutinised to establish best in breed.
This year, the National Pigeon Show in Melbourne (next year it’s in Adelaide) saw 57 exhibitors show 379 pigeons.
“It’s a very friendly atmosphere in competition,” says Phil, who this year has attended 11 events.
“You want to win. Everyone wants to be the top exhibitor, but it never gets too competitive.”
He says time and expenses add up when travelling to events, with pigeons by law needing to be transported in special cargo containers, especially when flying.
“The Australian National Pigeon Association has worked with Qantas to make it easier for breeders to move their birds,” Phil says, adding that he has a special covered trailer and van when driving.
He says the beauty of attending events is also buying cocks or hens from competitors to try to improve his breeding genetics. Phil breeds year-round, with eggs taking 21 days to hatch a squeaker (a baby pigeon).
Each year Phil sells up to 80 of his own birds, ranging from $10 to $100.
“The most I’ve ever seen a pigeon sell for was $1000. It was a top bird and the breeder just wanted it.”
Even though he breeds racing pigeons and is a member of a homing society, Phil has never become involved in the sport, mainly because he lives further than the 10km radius from the Hobart club – a required distance so pigeons can fly home.
Phil grew up in Tasmania and worked in the railways out of Launceston and Hobart before spending the next 40 years as a harness racing trainer.
He’s still the president of the Tasmanian Pacing Club and helps his stepsons train their trotters.
“I got into pigeons because it took some of the stress away from harness training,” Phil says.
“A friend of mine gave me a pair of breeding pigeons and I was hooked. The bug started from there.
“The sport is very social.
“Everyone makes you feel warm and welcome.
“If you get down, you go out to the pigeons. I appreciate them and it’s also a buzz to win.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Ryan Ponto | Oct 9, 2016 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent
If you ever needed proof that a fine line divides genius from madness and it’s often indistinguishable and frequently crossed, the foreign media seems to have found it in abundance in our country. The only thing is I’m not sure which side they’re coming down on. Either way the joke is on us.
A report that the police in Punjab have in their custody a pigeon, who they believe came from Pakistan and could be a spy, led to this memorable headline in the Wall Street Journal: “India detains pigeons as authorities fret over risk of a coo.”
Agence France-Presse says the pigeon was found carrying a note in Urdu presumably addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The note reads: “Modi, we are not the same people from 1971.Now each and every child is ready to fight against India.” The Huffington Post says the pigeon was found by a 14-year-old boy who took the bird straight to the police station.
The Wall Street Journal has some fascinating details. The paper says that the pigeon has been x-rayed and some unusual spots found on its abdomen. Two further x-rays followed but Rishpal Singh, an assistant sub-inspector, has said “the authorities still aren’t sure if there is anything nefarious.” Now the army will be consulted.
Rakesh Kaushal, a senior superintendent of police in Punjab, was good enough to explain the seriousness of the situation. He has told the Wall Street Journal: “We thought maybe it’s a spy pigeon. We can’t establish if it’s from Lashkar … it’s better to double check …law breakers are always up to new tricks. Who knows?”
Who knows indeed! With such a bird in hand our security forces need to be extremely concerned about the others still in the bush.
Meanwhile, Pakistani social media has named the pigeon Ghutarghoon Khan and they’re clearly having a hoot at our expense. But this is not the first time pigeons have caused such consternation.
My niece Narayani tells me Ghutarghoon Khan is the second pigeon in Punjab police custody. The first was apparently caught 10 days earlier and remains in detention. I presume the police are meticulously gathering evidence before they file charges. Last year, a pigeon was discovered with a mysterious number on its feathers. At the time the deputy superintendent of police, Hansraj Hans, told Quartz: “We checked for cyanide under its beak.” Garud Sharma, said to be “a top intelligence officer”, added “We are also checking for circumcision.”
The Guardian, which has obviously done extensive research on this subject, has found a lot more than just avian espionage. The paper claims two balloons were recently found in Punjab with similar messages to the one found on Ghutarghoon Khan. Understandably no one is prepared to dismiss this as a mere case of hot air propulsion. In 2013 Indian security forces found a dead falcon fitted with a small camera. In 2010 a pigeon was detained following fears it could be a spy. Unfortunately, the paper does not relate what happened next. I wonder if it was found guilty. Regrettably, the Geneva Convention does not specify how birds accused of spying should be treated by their captors, but at this time of spiralling tension with distrust of our naughty neighbour at a peak, it would be irresponsible to dismiss such reports as a fowl affair or a story fit for the birds. In the pecking order of threats to national security these jailbirds must not be taken lightly.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Ryan Ponto | Sep 13, 2016 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Pigeon Patrol's Services
Two snakes whose writhing encounter in ferny undergrowth at Kembla Heights was captured on video have heralded the start of reptile season.
LET’S DANCE: Two snakes intertwine in a curious scene from amateur video captured at Kembla Heights.
Rachel White noticed the intertwined pair near her Kembla Heights home and posted video of the action as a warning.
WIRES Illawarra reptile co-ordinator Hugh Marriott said the video appeared to show two males locked in combat.
ENSSSNARED: A red-bellied black snake found trapped in bird netting at Kiama makes its displeasure known. Picture: supplied
“They may be trying to force the other into submission, so they can get access to the females that are around,” Mr Marriott said.
But a male-female interaction, akin to foreplay, could not be ruled out.
“If they’re intertwined, not actually biting each other, that’s normally a mating stance,” Mr Marriott said.
“You’ve got to be up close and personal to see that [mating] activity taking place at the end of their tails.”
A snake’s reproductive equipment is located in its cloaca cavity, towards the tip of its tail.
Area reptile handlers have come under increasing demand as recent warmer weather causes snakes, lizards and turtles to end their hibernation.
“We’re coming into that really high-activity period for reptiles, where they’ll stick their heads out looking for food, shelter and a mate,” Mr Marriott said. “We’re fielding calls left, right and centre.”
“Having a pond in your backyard will bring in reptiles because they’re looking for food. They’re attracted to what we provide around our homes.
“Keeping your yard clear of rubbish and having the grass mowed and clear is a good idea.
“If you back onto a bit of bushland or reserve, you’re bound to have visitors who will come into your garden.”
Red-bellied black snakes, diamond pythons and “three or four species that people often mistake for an eastern brown snake” are common in the Illawarra. The region is also home to some small-eyed snakes, golden crowned snakes, black-bellied swamp snakes and tiger snakes.
”They’ve all got to be treated as venomous until proven otherwise,” Mr Marriott said.
“The best action to take is to observe from a distance.
“Never approach or try to kill or capture them, because 90 per cent of people get bitten if they try any of those actions.”
Snake activity can remain high until the end of April, when reptiles will start to bunker down for the winter.
Mr Marriott traveled to Hothersal Street, Kiama on Thursday afternoon to tend to a 1.3-metre red-bellied black snake that had become ensnared in bird netting.
He found the creature healthy and highly agitated. It was eventually freed in Albion Park, with the help of a wildlife rescue volunteer.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Ryan Ponto | Sep 12, 2016 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Pigeon Patrol's Services
DEAR JOAN: We hope you can advise us on a problem. We live in the city and have a metal, flat roof garden building that raccoons or opossums are using as a bathroom.
We also have a small wood utility shed — seldom used — that rats now call home. We have trapped some but in a few weeks, more move in. Any suggestions for a permanent fix on either problem, or is there one?
Lou Cobb, Livermore
DEAR LOU: The problem on your shed is likely raccoons. For some reason, they like creating latrines up off the ground.
It doesn’t really matter which one is doing it — either way, the stuff is toxic and you should be careful when removing it.
Wear gloves and a respirator, and bag up the poop for the garbage. To keep them off, try taking some coffee cans — do they even make those anymore? — or some sort of container. Punch several holes in the side of the container and put some rags soaked in amonia inside, then put the lid on. Set these on top of the roof.
As for the rats, people get very determined to kill them, but as you have experienced, there are plenty of others to take their place. You need to find where they are getting into the shed and then patch holes and block entrances.
Because the shed is wooden, it might be more difficult to keep them from chewing their way in. If that’s happening, consider putting siding or even metal flashing on the building to stop the gnawing.
You should also take a look at your yard and remove anything that makes it attractive to critters, including pet food left out over night, water bowls and heavy ground covers, especially ivy. Keeping them out of your yard is the first step to keeping them out of your shed and off your roof.
DEAR JOAN: I so enjoy your column but was quite dismayed today to see the letter from about using bird netting to stop skunks from digging.
I do hope the writer is using the wildlife-friendly netting instead of the standard netting that is available in most hardware stores. That type of netting can be deadly to to our local wildlife: birds, lizards, snakes and even bats can get tangled in the netting and are unable to escape, often injuring themselves.
At Lindsay Wildlife Experience, the aquatic garter snake, Ribbon, was a victim of that kind of netting. Some of his ribs were broken, making it impossible for him to survive in the wild. He serves as an animal ambassador, allowing our exhibit hall interpreters to tell his story so more people are aware of the dangers of standard garden netting.
I am writing as a concerned citizen and not as a representative of Lindsay Wildlife, although I do volunteer there and appreciate the opportunity to tell Ribbon’s story.
Marni Berendsen, Bay Area
DEAR MARNI: I was aware of the dangers of monofilament bird netting, but I didn’t think about it being a concern lying flat on the ground. But you are, of course, correct.
Creatures can become tangled in the netting, and if they are unable to free themselves, they can starve to death. They also can cut their mouths trying to chew through it, and break bones, as was the case with Ribbon, in their attempts at escape.
If you’re planning to use netting to protect trees, gardens or as a cover on lawns to prevent creatures from digging for grubs, look for types certified as wildlife safe.
Thanks for the reminder, Marni .
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Ryan Ponto | Aug 20, 2016 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting
A VIDEO has been published of a seagull attacking and eating a pigeon in Barrow town centre.
The footage was recorded at around 6.30pm last night in Dalton Road, close to the junction with Cavendish Street.
Most types of seagull are ground-nesting carnivores, which take live food or scavenge opportunistically. There have been calls for action to be taken in Barrow to tackle the number of seagull in the town centre and residential areas.
Seagulls are a hot topic for debate around Barrow as many residents consider the birds to be pests or vermin. Others argue the birds are simply doing what is natural and that we should respect their presence.
Earlier this month, Barrow dad Phil Jackson said his four-year-old daughter will no longer visit the town’s park because of the aggressive nature of the seagulls near the pond. Mr Jackson believes drastic action needs to be taken to tackle the problem, which he believes is blighting the whole of Barrow.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
