Hawking and Egg Removal

Our bird of prey programme uses trained Harris Hawks to create a natural predator presence at your site. This is the most natural and humane form of bird deterrence available.

• Multiple visits from the bird handler and bird of prey throughout the year
• Flight frequency is determined by the species being deterred, as different approaches are required for different species
• Flight times are varied so pest birds do not become accustomed to the raptor's presence
• Handlers identify the most appropriate vantage points for flying raptors to achieve the best results
• As birds of prey fly over the area, nuisance birds are disturbed and rise into the sky. The raptor does not attack; it is trained as a deterrent only
• Handlers constantly monitor infestation levels and adjust flying time accordingly for cost-effectiveness
• On sites with large or well-established resident bird populations, treatment may take 3 to 5 years to significantly reduce nesting numbers

Hawking is particularly effective for gulls, pigeons, and starlings on commercial sites where proofing alone cannot cover the entire area, such as open warehousing and distribution centres and agricultural buildings.

For the most effective long-term results, we recommend combining hawking with egg removal and targeted proofing:

• Hawking creates a predator presence that makes the site unattractive for nesting
• Egg removal prevents successful breeding, reducing the population over time
• Proofing excludes birds from the most critical areas permanently
• Environmental management reduces food availability, removing the incentive for birds to remain

This integrated approach addresses the problem from multiple angles and delivers faster, more sustainable results than any single method alone. We design combined programmes tailored to each site based on the species, the scale of the problem, and the client's objectives.

Spring (March to May) - Intensive breeding season operations: This is the most critical period for hawking and egg removal programmes. Feral pigeons lay their first clutches of 2 eggs with 17 to 19 days of incubation. Herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls begin building large nests on flat roofs, plant rooms, and ledges. Hawking visits increase to maximum frequency, with Harris Hawks flown at varied times to prevent pest birds from predicting the raptor's presence. Egg removal rounds are carried out multiple times per month under General Licence GL41, removing all accessible eggs and nesting material. Programme activity: multiple egg removal rounds per month, intensive hawking flights at peak frequency, nest and material removal with biocide treatment, and colony activity monitoring and recording.

Summer (June to August) - Sustained pressure and assessment: By June, persistent breeding pairs continue to relay eggs after previous removal. Systematic egg removal throughout this period prevents any successful rearing on site, which is the key mechanism for long-term population decline. Hawking maintains predator pressure on colonies attempting to re-establish. Late pigeon breeding continues through July as feral pigeons can breed year-round. August marks the transition to post-season assessment, with colony counts, breeding pair numbers, and activity levels measured against previous years. Programme activity: continued egg removal for late clutches, hawking visits to reinforce predator territory, post-season colony assessment and comparison to previous years, and effectiveness reporting via online portal.

Autumn (September to November) - Review and complementary work: With the breeding season complete, autumn is the period for programme review and strategic planning. Colony counts are compared to baseline data and previous seasons to measure progress toward the 3 to 5-year population reduction target. Maintenance hawking flights continue at reduced frequency to sustain the predator presence. This is also the best window for complementary proofing installations, as nests are vacated and there are no legal restrictions on accessing nesting areas. Programme activity: detailed season review and progress reporting, maintenance hawking flights to sustain predator credibility, complementary proofing recommendations for off-season installation, and strategy adjustments for the following year if needed.

Winter (December to February) - Planning and preparation: Off-season activity is minimal but important. Occasional maintenance flights with Harris Hawks ensure the predator territory remains credible to overwintering birds. Colony monitoring visits establish baseline population counts for the coming season. The annual programme review is completed in December, with the next season plan finalised by February. For new programmes starting before March, this period is used for site assessment, programme design, and initial hawking flights. Programme activity: annual programme review and next season planning, maintenance hawking flights, overwintering bird population baseline recording, and new programme design and site assessment.

North East programme areas: Large industrial and distribution sites in Darlington, Stockton, and Middlesbrough with open warehousing are common hawking programme sites for feral pigeon and gull management. Coastal commercial properties in Hartlepool and South Shields experience the highest herring gull nesting pressure, making egg removal programmes essential during the April to July breeding peak. Agricultural sites across County Durham and North Yorkshire benefit from combined hawking and egg removal for gull and pigeon management in open building environments. If your site has an established bird colony, starting a programme before the next breeding season gives the best first-year results.