Birmingham Bird Man Russell Wilson is one in all many who make a pilgrimage to Pigeon Park within the metropolis centre to feed the flocks – however are they doing the proper factor?
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Each rummage in Russell’s bag, every fling of crumbs brings extra birds from the lofty heights of the traditional building to their Good Samaritan’s ft. Soon the turf in Pigeon Park is a seething, undulating, untidy mass of frenzied feathered exercise.
Today is an efficient day for Birmingham metropolis centre’s mighty flock that swirl across the cathedral like confetti. Russell has introduced shortbread biscuits. The 47-year-old – surviving on illness advantages – will buy what his means enable and sometimes his beloved birds make do with breadcrumbs. But he’ll at all times discover one thing for them.
Russell is Birmingham metropolis centre’s Bird Man, an individual who has taken Mary Poppins’ traditional “Feed The Birds” as an order. He is one in all many who make a day by day pigeon pilgrimage, scattering tit-bits on streets and open areas.
But opinion is split over whether or not they’re wildlife heroes or unwitting villains cranking-up a pest management drawback. Opinion can be divided over the very birds which have flourished within the warmth of a metropolis’s beating coronary heart and dined on its quick meals leftovers.
They are messy, unfold illness and their droppings erode landmark buildings, say those that dismiss pigeons as merely “flying rats”. Stallholders on the Cathedral Market eyed Russell suspiciously as, like some Pied Piper, he attracted increasingly birds to inside ft of their pitches.
“I’ve done this most of my adult life,” stated Russell, gazing down at his pets. “It’s very therapeutic. People say they’re a problem in the city centre. I disagree. People who drink too much and take drugs are the problem in the city centre. If pigeons were brightly coloured or had a beautiful song, people would be more open to them. They’re certainly not vermin.”
Katarina Logongi, a customer from Canada, approached Russell and requested if she may assist distribute the crumbs. “Are the birds causing problems for the buildings or are the buildings causing problems for the birds?” she requested in a present of help. Looking on, market employee Michael McKean stated: “There are a lot of pigeons and they come very close to the stalls, but I don’t think they do too much harm.”
In Birmingham, it seems the birds have develop into ornithological Marmite. You both love them or hate them, there isn’t any center floor. Maurice Hazeldine, from Walsall, stated: “The people feeding them don’t know what they’re doing. The disease that their droppings spread is terrible and those feeding them are adding to the problem.”
Workmen Paul Fox additionally believes Mary Poppins obtained it mistaken. “Shouldn’t feed them,” Paul stated, shaking his head as Russell continued to scatter crumbs on the bottom. “It’s not the birds, it’s the vermin that are attracted.”
Are Russell and plenty of others doing the proper factor? We’d like your opinion
Birmingham, like every other metropolis, is awash with pigeons and the infestations will be problematic. Some pigeons can carry organisms that may trigger salmonellosis, however there’s a well being warning connected to most wildlife when pressured into shut contact with mankind.
The birds have gained enemies by splattering public buildings and the acidic droppings can, extra time, harm stonework. What’s extra, when meals is instantly available, pigeons will breed all 12 months spherical. That’s why now we have so lots of them.
The message from Birmingham City Council is obvious – ignore Poppins, don’t feed the birds. An area authority recommendation leaflet states: “The most important factor determining the size of a pigeon population is food and the best long-term solution to the problem of feral pigeons is to restrict its availability. Avoid dropping food waste and litter, clean up spillage areas, keep lids on bins and secure waste bags. Remember – no food, no birds.”
Problem is, residents are divided over whether or not pigeons are an issue or pleasure.
