‘War on wildlife’: anti-bird spikes on Clifton trees to protect cars from droppings

Wildlife lovers have condemned the use of ‘bird spikes’ on trees in Clifton to protect expensive cars from droppings.

Photos of the severe plastic prongs affixed to branches in one of Bristol’s wealthiest neighbourhoods sparked outrage on Twitter and prompted a national debate on BBC Two’s Jeremy Vine show.

The spikes are similar to those often seen on commercial buildings to prevent pigeons from resting on ledges and pooing on members of the public, but their use in a residential area is a step too far for many people, who have  spoken out to condemn the “war on wildlife”.

Nature lover Jennifer Garrett shared a photo of the offending measures, spotted in two trees on the corners of Pembroke Road and Clifton Down, saying: “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?!”

At the time of publication, her Tweet has been shared 1,700 times and people have voiced their disgust at the installation of spikes to deter birds in order to protect residents’ cars.

The spikes are fixed to branches overhanging the car park. Photo by Steve Loughran

Green Councillor for Clifton Paula O’Rourke was also critical about the measures, saying: “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.”

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Hillcrest Estate Management are employed by Bartlett Court Residents’ Association to manage the 49 flats.

In a statement, the company said: “These particular trees attract roosting pigeons, which in turn, create a lot of detritus on the cars parked below and, more importantly, on the footpath. These faeces are then trodden into the building and on to carpets, becoming a health hazard for residents and their children. Bird detritus can cause permanent damage to the paintwork on cars if not removed promptly and leaseholders instructed us to take action to try and improve the situation.

“Building a car port was considered, but this proved to be unfeasible due to difficulties with design and build for that particular area as it is a conservation area. Using covers for cars is a further health issue for those having to remove them each day.

“For a number of years, Hillcrest, tried various ways to deter the birds from roosting, using fake birds, CDs in trees, noise deterrents at night and cut back some branches, where allowed by the city council. None of these deterrents had much effect.

“After taking further advice from a local tree surgeon and a pest control company, we decided the most humane way was to attach a few spikes to 20 per cent of the lower branches which were the birds’ favoured roosting place.

“They are not nailed into the trees, as some reports indicated, but are in fact attached by cable ties so they can be removed easily, which won’t cause damage and also allows us to carry out the continued maintenance to the trees when required.

“Overall, we wanted to do our best to help the leaseholders, whilst preserving the beautiful trees that form part of the estate.  We must emphasise that the estate has many other trees and is opposite the 400 plus acres of tree-covered Downs.”

The area is believed to be a breeding site for endangered peregrine falcons, who rely on pigeons as a food source.

Their installation have been defended by some, who argue they are only on some branches overhanging the car park and that they are needed to protect “expensive cars” from irreparable paint damage caused by bird droppings.

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Some commentators have expressed concern about the potential damage to branches, but there appears to be little in the way of regulation against the use of spikes for trees on private land that are not subjects of any specific protection orders.

Main photo thanks to Steve Loughran