Not everyone is keen to host a colony of nesting seabirds; with many concerned about any noise/waste produced during their time with us every spring and summer as birds return to nest.
Building owners install anti-bird deterrents in an attempt to deter birds from nesting.
Netting
A variety of netting is used to attempt to prevent/persuade birds from nesting by blocking off specific areas on buildings. Evidence has proved, that this method regularly fails to stop birds nesting; however as they attempt to nest on top of netting or as netting becomes damaged over time, birds can become fatally trapped in the netting.
In 2018 on the Quaysides of Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead there were over twenty Kittiwake casualties as a result of anti-bird netting installed on several buildings. Following a local campaign, netting was removed.
A Tyne Kittiwake Trapped in anti-bird netting during
the 2018 breeding season on Newcastle Quayside by Paul Buskin
Spikes
Long sharp spikes, that spoil the visual appearance of buildings. Evidence has shown that these in many cases fail to prevent birds nesting; as in the photo below from the Brunswick Shopping Centre in Scarborough, they often use the spike to build their nest around. Birds do become injured however, as the interact with the spikes; at times fatally.
Kittiwakes in Scarborough nesting on Anti-bird spikes on the Brunswick Shopping Centre
Bird/Fire Gel
To a bird the harmless (and invisible to the human eye) Ultra Violet (UV) light projecting from the non-toxic Gel is seen as a flame and hence a hazard to avoid. There is some evidence this causes birds to react initially and avoid the areas where it is present more. However, over time their desire to nest overcomes such fears and they nest around the gel; often without any reduction in numbers that year.
Kittiwakes nesting on Phoenix House on Newcastle Quayside, amongst anti-bird gel.
Avi-shock
Low voltage electric deterrent which delivers a harmless but disconcerting electric pulse. This modifies the birds’ behaviour by stimulus rather than by installing a physical barrier.
Kittiwakes nesting on The Guildhall On Newcastle Quayside on top of Avi-shock
Fake Raptors
Model birds of prey installed on buildings.
What the future holds?
What is causing our climate to generate more severe weather patterns? What are the greatest threats to food sources for Kittiwakes such as Sand Eels? Where does the pollution come from that damages our ecosystems in our rivers and seas? Will we accept responsibility and attempt to reverse the unfolding events? Or will our great grand children read about them like they do the Dinosaur’s and the Great Auk?