Birds are ruffling feathers in Blenheim’s town centre – fouling pavements and buildings with their mess.
Pigeons and seagulls have been bothering business owners and operators, swooping on passersby and splattering streets with their droppings.
The birds, perched mainly on roofs along the corner of Queen Street and High Street, are also a noise nuisance.
Herb and Olive café on High Street is situated close to the nesting sites.
Owner Richard Barton says the birds are putting potential customers off.
‘They’re ruining the CBD. We struggle as it is with everyone moving to Westwood and then we have this problem.
“Customers notice [the mess] and ask what’s happening.”
Both red and black billed gulls are a protected native species under the Wildlife Act. Pigeons are not protected.
Their nests cannot be moved once eggs have been laid.
Bird spikes are already in place at the top of some buildings where the birds gather.
But more preventative measures and needed, Richard says.
“When I arrive early in the morning, it’s like they’re taking over the place. Sometimes when I just walk past my car, they go for me.”
Building owners are responsible for maintaining their properties and many have installed spikes and other protective measures.
Council uses an electromagnetic deterrent at Te Kahu o Waipuna library/art gallery and carries out regular footpath cleaning throughout the Blenheim and Picton CBDs.
Richard would like to see something similar put in place for the worst hit areas in the CBD.
“Why’s that not happening here?
“The amount of poo, it’s just unhygienic. It’s been the businesses cleaning up, I haven’t seen any council cleaners yet.”
Marlborough Roads Principal Network Manager Amanda Smith told the Marlborough Weekly crews are responding to the issue.
She says more time will be spent cleaning up the areas where the seagulls are creating a mess.
“The team will use a sweeper unit, water cart and water blaster, starting from 2am, Monday to Wednesday.
We will monitor the success of this initiative and adjust the regime if required.”
Council also provides wheelie bins to all CBD businesses which means rubbish bags are no longer left on the street for gulls to get into.
