Forum Topic

Feeding pigeons

This happens very regularly in Maytree Rest Gardens, despite the 'Do not feed the pigeons' notices. As I passed today there were 20-30 slices of bread dumped on the grass.The pigeons and gulls are attracted to consume some. Rats and foxes a bit more, then the poor park cleaners pick up the remainder.Then the same happens again the next day. And the next. And the next.No doubt it is some daft old bat who thinks she is helping the dear birdies. Perhaps that is unnecessarily pejorative, but I stand by it. Pigeon population=food supply. More food=more pigeons, not the same number of happy, well-fed pigeons.Is this another social affront that one just has to smile, shrug and put up with because we have to indulge the person feeding them?

Mark Vale ● 4519d4 Comments

We are not at war, stop feeding the bloody things!

Nigel Brooks ● 4516d

No it isn't. I loathe 'sky rats' almost as much as I dislike bats (cue the 'bats are lovely' lobby).The one redeeming grace for bats is their love of insects but the damage they cause when they 'invade' a building has to be seen to be believed.____________________________________________________Pigeon recipients of the Dickin MedalWhite Vision 2 December 1943 Delivered a message that contributed to the rescue of a ditched aircrew in October 1942Winkie 2 December 1943 Delivered a message that contributed to the rescue of a ditched aircrew in February 1942Tyke 2 December 1943 Delivered a message that contributed to the rescue of a ditched aircrew in June 1943Beach Comber 1 September 1944 Brought the first news of the landings at Dieppe in 1942; served with the Canadian ArmyGustav 1 September 1944 Brought the first message from the Normandy beaches on 6 June 1944 Paddy 1 September 1944 Held best recorded time with a message from the Normandy Operations in June 1944Kenley Lass March 1945 First pigeon to deliver intelligence from an agent in enemy-occupied France in October 1940; served with the National Pigeon Service Navy Blue  March 1945 Although injured, delivered a message from a raiding party in France, June 1944 Flying Dutchman March 1945 Delivered three messages from agents in the Netherlands; missing in action on the fourth mission in 1944Dutch Coast March 1945 Delivered an SOS message from a ditched aircrew 288 miles in 7.5 hours in April 1942 Commando March 1945 Delivered three messages from agents in occupied France; served with the National Pigeon ServiceRoyal Blue March 1945 First pigeon of the war to deliver a message from a forced landed aircraft on the Continent in October 1940 Ruhr Express  May 1945 Carried an important message from the Ruhr Pocket in April 1945William of Orange May 1945 Held the record time for delivering  a message from the Arnhem Airborne Operation; served with the National Pigeon Service (Army)Scotch Lass June 1945 Brought 38 microphotographs across the North Sea from the Netherlands, despite injury, in September 1944 [11]Broad Arrow October 1945 Brought three important messages from the Continent in 1943; served with the National Pigeon Service (Special Section)NPS.42.NS.2780 October 1945 Brought three important messages from the Continent in 1942 and 1943; served with the National Pigeon Service (Special Section)NPS.42.NS.7524 October 1945 Brought three important messages from the Continent in 1942 and 1943; served with the National Pigeon Service (Special Section)Maquis October 1945 Brought three important messages from the Continent from 1943 and 1944; served with the National Pigeon Service (Special Section)Mary of Exeter November 1945 Showed outstanding endurance on war service despite injury Tommy February 1946 Delivered a message from the Netherlands to Lancashire in July 1942; served with the National Pigeon ServiceAll Alone February 1946 Delivered an important message following a flight of over 400 miles in one day in August 1943; served with the National Pigeon ServicePrincess May 1946 Completed a special mission to Crete, a journey of more than 500 miles over sea, with valuable informationMercury August 1946 Carried out a special task involving a 480-mile flight from Northern Denmark in 1942; served with the National Pigeon Service (Special Section)NURP.38.BPC.6 August 1946 Made three flights in 1941; served with the National Pigeon Service (Special Section)G.I. Joe August 1946 Flew 20 miles in as many minutes, delivering a message which is credited with saving over 100 lives; served with the United States Army Pigeon ServiceCologne 1947 Homed from a crashed aircraft over Cologne despite injury in 1943Duke of Normandy 8 January 1947 First bird to arrive with message from Paratroops of 21st Army Group on D Day (6 June 1944); served with the National Pigeon ServiceNURP.43.CC.1418 8 January 1947 Fastest flight carrying a message from the 6th Airborne Division from Normandy, 7 June 1944; served with the National Pigeon ServiceDD.43.T.139 February 1947 Brought message of foundered ship in the Huon Gulf in time to salvage it and its cargo; served with the Royal Australian Corps of SignalsDD.43.Q.879 February 1947 Only survivor of three pigeons released to warn of an impending counter-attack at Manus Island. Reached headquarters in time to extract a U.S. Marine Corps patrol; served with the Royal Australian Corps of Signalshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dickin_Medalmichael adams

Michael Adams ● 4517d

The same applies in Walpole Park...there's a "Please Do Not Feed the Birds" sign, but some folk still throw the birds their bread.

Gerry Tan ● 4519d

No it isn't. I loathe 'sky rats' almost as much as I dislike bats (cue the 'bats are lovely' lobby).The one redeeming grace for bats is their love of insects but the damage they cause when they 'invade' a building has to be seen to be believed.I think someone should have a word with the pigeon feeder to point out the error of his/her ways.

Nigel Brooks ● 4519d