Safe removal of pigeons to tackle severe public health risks
East Lothian Council has confirmed that work to remove feral pigeons roosting in a railway bridge crossing Spott Road, Dunbar will start later this month. The work, which will be carried out during the day when the bulk of adult pigeons are away from the site, will see the removal of nests and any young pigeons, or squabs, found will be re-located by an animal welfare charity. Netting to stop future roosting in the bridge will be installed and in the unlikely event that any pigeons remain, one-way exits will be installed to ensure they can safely leave. A number of checks will be carried out over the following days to make sure no birds are caught following the works.
Environment spokesperson Cllr Norman Hampshire said: “Although the bridge is a Network Rail asset East Lothian Council has had to act due to the significant public health and safety risks posed by the large number of feral pigeons and their droppings. In carrying out this work no pigeons will be culled and I am grateful to external agencies including NatureScot and Scottish SPCA for taking the time to fully understand the scale of the problem and the proposed solution which will be widely welcomed by people in Dunbar.”