Residents of a quaint UK town find themselves increasingly frustrated as their peaceful town center is plagued by a persistent bird problem, with seagulls and pigeons leaving their mark all over

the place. The Ashford Borough Council (ABC) had initially contemplated a novel solution, introducing a hawk to deter the pesky birds, but this plan has now been abandoned.

The invasion of seagulls and pigeons has reached alarming proportions, transforming the town center into an unsightly mess covered in bird droppings. Perplexingly, plans to enlist the services of a hawk to discourage these troublesome birds have been abruptly shelved.

Initially, Ashford Borough Council (ABC) had set the stage for the introduction of a formidable bird of prey to counteract the "growing number" of seagulls and pigeons within the area. This approach was seen as a potential solution to improve the aesthetic appeal of the town center. The hawk was envisioned to patrol the town center on a weekly basis, accompanied by a skilled bird handler, providing an intriguing spectacle for shoppers who would have had the opportunity to observe the majestic bird up close. A four-month trial period was scheduled to gauge the effectiveness of this plan, but the council now states that they are "monitoring the situation."

A spokesperson from ABC explained, "After thorough research and consultations with relevant stakeholders and local businesses, we have determined that there is currently insufficient demand for the introduction of a hawk service in the town center."

However, this decision has not been well received by business owners in the Park Mall shopping center, which is owned by the council. Pigeons have taken up residence in the roof above several shops, causing a nuisance. Vince Monticelli, proprietor of The Record Store in Park Mall, believes that the hawk would have made a positive impact on the town center's appearance. He expressed, "Pigeons and seagulls are only a concern for me in terms of the impression it leaves on customers. You walk around, and they are cooing overhead. All the baby birds are squawking, and there's a risk of getting soiled by their droppings. I believe it's a problem, and the council probably should have proceeded with the hawk."

He added, "Kent County Council has a hawk at the Cobbs Wood Industrial Estate landfill, so it's a proven solution."

Russell Geen, the owner of The Little Teapot in Park Mall, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the bird of prey would have not only maintained cleanliness but also potentially reduced costs for the council. He remarked, "I don't see why they couldn't have brought it in for a few days a month. Once the pigeons and seagulls realize there's a hawk in the area, they won't return. Some parts of Park Mall lack netting to deter them, so they congregate here due to shelter and food. Introducing a hawk would likely be more cost-effective than installing netting, which would run into thousands of pounds."

However, not all residents and businesses share this viewpoint. Connor Moon, an employee at Simply Vape located near Starbucks on the high street, believes that the birds are not causing any significant issues. He stated, "It wouldn't be a good idea. The birds don't harm us, and I've never noticed any bird droppings on the shop windows. They gather outside the shop on the high street because people often sit and feed them. If the council wants to reduce the number of birds here, they could put up signs asking people not to feed them. Additionally, some people may be frightened by the presence of a hawk."

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the town will find a solution to its avian invasion or if the birds will continue to rule the roost in the town center. Photo by  Iain Crump, Wikimedia commons.