The trees with no birds … feathers ruffled as spikes keep cars clean
Residents in smart suburb argue devices stop pigeons fouling vehicles, but their use has prompted outrage
‘Quite possibly the most idiotic thing I’ve seen this year’
IT APPEARS there are few lengths to which the drivers of top-of-the-range cars will not go to protect their beloved Maseratis, Ferraris and BMWS.
And in the smart Bristol suburb of Clifton that means placing spikes in trees near their homes to stop the local pigeons fouling their cars from above.
The spikes – which are normally used to stop birds resting or nesting on buildings – have been installed along branches which overhang a car park used by residents near Clifton Downs, overlooking the Avon Gorge and Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s famous Clifton Suspension Bridge.
However, the measure has provoked a backlash from some environmentalists in the city. Paula O’rourke, a Green Party councillor who represents the area, said: “I’m aware that the landowner might be legally within their rights to do this to the trees as they seem to be on private land.
“However, I will be looking into this at the council. Whether allowed or not though, it looks awful and it’s a shame to see trees being literally made uninhabitable to birds – presumably for the sake of car parking.
“Sometimes it’s too easy to lose sight of the benefit that we all gain from trees and green spaces and from the presence of wildlife around us in the city.”
Jennifer Garrett, a social media manager and writer from Bristol, posted on Twitter: “Our war on wildlife: now birds are not allowed in trees …?! Pigeon spikes spotted in Clifton, Bristol, above a car park. Has anyone seen this before? How is it allowed?!”
Ms Garrett’s tweet has been retweeted more than 1,900 times, with many other users coming out in support of her concerns. Iain Green, a nature photographer said: “I’m lost for words at how appalling this is!” Donna Rainey, a conservationist from Northern Ireland, added: “We have reached a new low. Appalling!”
James Common, an environmental blogger from Northumberland, described the spikes as “quite possibly the most idiotic thing I’ve ever seen this year”.
However, one resident, who asked to remain anonymous, defended the installation of the spikes on trees in the grounds of Essendene House and Heathfield House, saying: “The spikes are solely to protect the cars, there is no other reason.
“There is a big problem with bird droppings around here. They can really make a mess of cars, and for some reason the birds do seem to congregate around this area. We did try other methods to scare off the birds. I think we had a wooden bird of prey in the branches, but that didn’t seem to do anything.”
Anti-bird spikes, normally used to protect guttering, window sills and ledges, can be bought on Amazon from just £4.58 per metre. Hillcrest Estate Management, the company which installed the spikes, said: “Bird detritus can cause permanent damage to the paintwork on cars if not removed promptly and the worst affected leaseholders wanted action taken to try to improve the situation.”