Harris Hawk

After the pigeon population exploded at Oxford United Football Club the management knew they had to take action.

Fans were being affected with some having to move seats due to pigeon mess, despite the seats being cleaned a few hours earlier. The problem came to a head during ‘sell out’ matches when there were no spare seats to move supporters to.

The solution is flying Harris hawks to scare and unsettle the pigeons and it’s proving a huge success.

For feathered friends Luna and Reg it was love at first flight. Their relationship has flourished and now they are proud parents.  

Cleankill Pest Control now has a bird on the payroll to help meet the demand from clients wanting natural methods of pest control.

Since six-year-old Luna the Harris Hawk joined the firm a few months ago her handler and Pest Control Technician Alan Day has been out and about getting her used to traffic noise and other unfamiliar sounds.

While Luna has been undergoing her own training, Alan has been studying for a professional Falconry qualification through LANTRA.

Eastbourne College Head Groundsman, Richard Maryan, was horrified when the pitches he has spent months painstakingly preparing for the Springboks to use in their World Cup preparation, were invaded by seagulls.