BUSINESSES plagued by pigeons in Bathurst’s central business district are being asked to put their money where their mouth is and support an intensive pigeon trapping program.
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The program is due to begin this month, so it is clear the pigeons are living on borrowed time.
Council has partnered with local firm Canham Pest Management Services to conduct up to 20 four-week trapping programs at local businesses and council facilities with the long-term aim of removing the majority of pest birds from the CBD altogether.
The work will be carried out at a reduced cost of $500 – a saving of $160 per site.
Mayor Monica Morse said many businesses had previously come to council asking for assistance to deal with pigeons.
“We encourage those businesses to participate in this program so that we can have the greatest impact possible,” Cr Morse said.
She said key council facilities such as the Fossil and Mineral Museum and the Civic Centre will be the first to sign up.
Council is also contributing funds to the project to make it more attractive for CBD businesses and property owners to follow the lead.
“I am really glad to see that the next step in the management of pest birds in Bathurst is about to start, which is part of an overall focus here at council on reducing introduced birds in the Bathurst environment,” Cr Morse said.
“Last year we developed a pest bird management plan which identified the main problem areas and the best actions to deal with birds such as pigeons.”
Mick Canham said the birds are lured with food into a trap with a swinging door. These traps are placed on the roofs of buildings where pigeons congregate.
He said because pigeons are basically lazy, preferring to sit around all day rather than fly, they can’t resist the temptation of food right under their beaks.
The traps contain food, water and a roosting perch. They are checked every day to ensure the pigeons don’t suffer heat stress.
The pigeons are taken away and euthanased humanely using carbon dioxide.
Mr Canham said two years ago he trapped 450 pigeons on top of the Telstra building and 250 at the Fossil and Mineral Museum.
“Until we get up to the 500 to 600 mark it’s hard to see any difference,” he said.
“You have to euthanase them, otherwise you are just moving them from one building to another.
“If enough businesses in the CBD get on board, we won’t see them build up again for another five years.”
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