Fowl play upsets villagers who want peacocks to feather their nest elsewhere

TWO PEACOCKS are driving residents in an East Yorkshire village to distraction.

The unwanted visitors have become an irritation to villagers in Low Catton, near Stamford Bridge, since turning up in July.

As well as annoying with their their loud screeching, resident David Gilbertson said the two male birds are sending his dog “bananas”, adding: “They have spent more time on my garden furniture than I have this summer.”

Mr Gilbertson said: “They seem to have become very attached to our locality.

“They make a mess and I am sure there is somewhere better for them.

“Some people like having them round but most don’t – they are scared of them or are concerned about the potential damage and mess they make.”

He rang the RSPCA, but claimed officials “didn’t want to know” as the birds were uninjured.

Coun Andy Strangeway was called in to help.

He said: “As numerous villagers do not like the peacocks I have requested East Riding Council to relocate them to somewhere where they will be more appreciated.”

He added that he would raise the issue at the next parish council meeting, but in the meantime hoped that a good home could be found.

“I would hope somebody would come and offer them a nice home – Harewood House or somewhere else – they have a few up there.”

A spokesman for the council said it had yet to receive any complaints about the birds.

He added: “However, as the birds are likely to be undomesticated, it is not within the council’s remit to relocate them.”

Peafowl were probably introduced into Britain by the Romans. The males, which can weigh up to 13 pounds, were eaten by the gentry in medieval times.

As non-indigenous birds the creatures – which members of the pheasant family – are not covered by wildlife protection laws.