Pigeons

[jamesb]

At Woodford, the netting to prevent birds inhabiting the station roof seems to have turned the roof into an aviary. I can't quite work out if the pigeons are trapped inside the netting, or if they have taken advantage of a 'safe' environment to live. Yesterday, I was lucky enough to have one excrete onto my head when I was sitting on a bench! The bird in question looked healthy enough...It must be quite hard to remove them, since I imagine they would fly about as soon as a hole was cut in the netting to release them.

[londoner]

There is definitely one station on the network that used to have a wooden owl as a deterrent, not sure how successful that was, but I'm sure it was discussed on these boards not so long ago.

Are these the nets you are referring to?:
www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2381958

[stapler]

When Westminster was still open to the sky, LT had several posters: "Do not feed the pigeons on this station. They are a nuisance and make a mess".
People used to scrub out "pigeons" and substitute "MPs"

[rincew1nd]

Aug 21, 2018 12:03:29 GMT londoner said:

There is definitely one station on the network that used to have a wooden owl as a deterrent, not sure how successful that was, but I'm sure it was discussed on these boards not so long ago.

Are these the nets you are referring to?:
www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2381958

Wembley Park had several.

[whistlekiller2000]

I occasionally 'relieve' pigeon pressure with the aid of a telescopic sight and an air rifle in North Lincolnshire. Provided that TfL crosses my palm with silver I'd have no problem sorting this issue out once and for all at Woodford. 

[norbitonflyer]

I doubt it would solve it "once and for all". The problem with pigeons is that they can fly, and if you remove all the pigeons from an area it won't take very long for others to move in.

We have the same problem locally with foxes, except worse - the rat population has to recover before a new lot of foxes will move in.

[theblackferret]

Pigeons are intelligent birds & could be trained to communicate effectively with passengers(sorry to jamesb).

Could advise of delays/next train etc. if the electronic stuff goes haywire (as if!) & would probably work refreshment kiosks for a small concession.

[goldenarrow]

Hillingdon had nets fitted in 2015 when the glass canopies were due for clean but just like you described for a couple of days a few got trapped inside. Since then the station (minus its flaky paint) is much more pleasant environment apart from the fact that an elderly gent has taken it upon himself to actively increase their number by dumping a bag of bird feed by the bike racks twice a week much to the annoyance of the adjacent pub whose roof now looks like an abstract painting from afar!

[jamesb]

Aug 21, 2018 12:03:29 GMT londoner said:

There is definitely one station on the network that used to have a wooden owl as a deterrent, not sure how successful that was, but I'm sure it was discussed on these boards not so long ago.

Are these the nets you are referring to?:
www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2381958

Yep, those are the nets. The area that is inhabited by a family of pigeons is under the bridge / near the male toilets on the eastbound platform.

[revupminster]

Pigeons used to travel on the trains at Mansion House getting on a train to Blackfriars and then coming back.

At Elm Park every drain hopper along the platform buildings was a home.

[wimblephil]

Aug 22, 2018 5:55:21 GMT revupminster said:

Pigeons used to travel on the trains at Mansion House getting on a train to Blackfriars and then coming back.

I was going to ask if Pigeons boarding the trains was much of an issue anywhere other than Hammersmith (H&C). Most mornings I board a near empty train and will often see a pigeon or two scouting for crumbs, sometimes assisting them with the doors when it’s time to get off! Just this morning I let one out of the train I boarded; it flew to sit atop the platform roundel whilst another train entered the platform, and as soon as it’s doors were open the pigeon flew straight in!

I would often see them riding the C-Stocks to Goldhawk Road, but haven’t really noticed any enjoying the S-Stock. I don’t recall seeing this boarding behaviour occurring anywhere other than Hammersmith...

[patrickb]

Aug 21, 2018 5:59:58 GMT jamesb said:

At Woodford, the netting to prevent birds inhabiting the station roof seems to have turned the roof into an aviary. I can't quite work out if the pigeons are trapped inside the netting, or if they have taken advantage of a 'safe' environment to live. Yesterday, I was lucky enough to have one excrete onto my head when I was sitting on a bench! The bird in question looked healthy enough...It must be quite hard to remove them, since I imagine they would fly about as soon as a hole was cut in the netting to release them.

I've seen roughly two or three pigeons at Woodford. I avoid standing too close to walls as they often sit above them and on crossbars. The top of drain pipes look quite gross and it really needs to be addressed. I always stay in the waiting room while waiting for my Loop train

[westville13]

Pigeons used to ride the D stock from Hammersmith at least as far as Sloane Square.

[patrickb]

Many used to alight at Victoria too.

I think that there was a good opportunity there for TfL to highlight the serious issue of fare evasion. They always used to wing it whenever Revenue protection inspectors came on board.

[nickf]

Aug 24, 2018 15:18:52 GMT patrickb said:

Many used to alight at Victoria too.

I think that there was a good opportunity there for TfL to highlight the serious issue of fare evasion. They always used to wing it whenever Revenue protection inspectors came on board.

If they didn't, they would be up before the beak.

[bananaman]

You're over-reacting, it's nothing to get in a flap about.

[stapler]

Aug 21, 2018 14:45:57 GMT rincew1nd said:

Aug 21, 2018 12:03:29 GMT londoner said:

There is definitely one station on the network that used to have a wooden owl as a deterrent, not sure how successful that was, but I'm sure it was discussed on these boards not so long ago.

Are these the nets you are referring to?:
www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2381958

Wembley Park had several.

The wikipedia entry on Chingford states:

There is a plastic owl in the underside of the canopy over platform two, just outside the newsagent's, an attempt to stop pigeons landing there.