Many commensal birds, such as pigeons, sea gulls, starlings etc., are on record as perching and roosting on buildings, statues and other heritage items. Their droppings not only create unsightly deposits, but also have deleterious effects on the fabric by aiding its decay. There are a large number of bird deterrent systems available on the market, but very few have been tested for their effectiveness.
A research project is under way to examine the issue of bird droppings on buildings. The study has a number of components (field observation, experiment, survey). One of these is this on-line survey. We are seeking to gain an understanding of how heritage practitioners perceive bird behaviour in relation to heritage building conservation, to gauge what deterrence methods you have employed, and to what degree you perceive bird deterrent techniques to be effective when used. We would like to enlist your help as a heritage practitioner and will be asking you about your experiences
• What kinds of birds are the problem?
• What techniques have you used (if any)?
• What technique does, in your experience, work
We need 10 minutes of your time. While we cannot promise you any immediate benefit from participating in this research, we assume that the outcomes of the study may well inform your professional practice.
The study is being conducted by Melissa Pike (Honours Student) from the School of Environmental Sciences at Charles Sturt University and supervised by A/Prof Dr Dirk HR Spennemann and Dr Maggie Watson.
You are invited to participate in the research study by filling out an online survey which should take about 10 minutes of your time to complete. Be assured that the survey is fully ANONYMOUS. Participation is voluntary. By participating, you give your consent for your information being used for the research study.
Please support this research. The Questionnaire can be found at this web address
https://www.research.net/r/HeritageBuildingsNZ
The fine print:
Charles Sturt University’s Faculty of Science Human Ethics Committee has approved this study. A formal Participant Information Sheet can be downloaded from this site:
http://csusap.csu.edu.au/~dspennem/BirdImpact/BirdImpactInfoSheet2015.pdf
True. Commensal birds have adopted and adapted to our created environments and carved out their own ecological niches. The issue we have from a heritage management / historic preservation perspective is that the effects of bird excrement are deleterious to the stone fabric. Hence the question, how can we deter birds from perching and nesting on some structures.
Just to reiterate…the questionnaire can be accessed here
https://www.research.net/r/HeritageBuildingsNZ
Please consider participating
Because of the extent of bird droppings in public places in the UK, there are moves to stop birds being fed in some city centres, by bringing in prosecutions and/or fines for feeding them there. Those bird-lovers who feed them in one particular city [which has a multi-faceted and perhaps ill-considered public consultation afoot] say that they would not desist, whether fined or not. Especially since the 'banned' area includes the city park and the river esplanade, whose ducks have been much loved over generations. I will share your survey with those whom it concerns.
It's just breaking news today in the historic city of Chester. See http://www.yourwestcheshire.co.uk/NewsArticle/%7BFF020DDE-B190-4CE4-A698-60A7BD87A96C%7D
The PSPO consultation was CWaC's biggest ever, nearly 1,800 responded. 58% were against making rough sleeping an offence.
43% were in favour of making it an offence to feed birds, 40% against. [23% were in favour of making busking without a licence an offence].
Sadly, nobody seems to have noticed that the map for these offences included the park and river with its birdlife....
Here's today's city news, with a brief mention of bird-feeding: http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chester-council-drops-rough-sleeping-10462772
http://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/155090/optimism-over-potential-u-turn-over-pspo-plans-in-chester.aspx
This was the original consultation, now closed:
http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=17711
It might be worth your contacting the Council itself - Environmental Health, rather than Cultural Services, I think. Contact:
http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/contact%20us.aspx
The Council have already instituted a 'pigeon loft' to deal with the problem, by removing the bird' eggs. The loft is at least 10 years old - see http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/gallery-owner-flap-over-pigeon-droppings-5301340
Chester Cathedral has also set up a falconry, close to the pigeon loft - though mainly set up for reasons of tourism! See:
http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/look-behind-scenes-new-falconry-9620410
Excuse all the local Press reports, but I can't find anything more technical!
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