Problems with pigeons
We have complaints every year about the amount of mess caused by pigeons, especially when they roost in areas used by people visiting the park. Their droppings damage buildings, such as the Abbey Gate, block gutters, make pavements slippery - and walking underneath where they are perched is hazardous unless you have a hat!
Pigeons carry insect pests, as well as various diseases which can affect us, and food left for them also attracts rats and mice. Feeding pigeons throughout the whole park spreads these problems and artificially increasing their food supply in this way means pigeon numbers grow to unnatural levels.
We know visitors like feeding the birds, so we have set aside a special area in the Abbey Gardens. The feeding area can be found if you head towards the play area and walk over the bridge. It is on your left hand side.
Feeding the pigeons and other wildlife
The feeding area is close to a dovecote which the pigeons will be using as a roosting place so feeding them near it will encourage them to stay close to their home. We put up the dovecote after closing the pigeon's access to the Abbey Gate, so that area is now safer for visitors walking there.
Feeding the pigeons and other wildlife is only allowed in the designated area. Feeding them elsewhere in the Abbey Gardens could lead to a fine for littering.
Looking after the pigeons
The more food that is available, the greater the number of pigeons - because they breed more. If we limit the food supply, the pigeons will limit the number of eggs they lay so the size of the flock will slowly fall to a natural level. Pigeons are very good at controlling their numbers to match the local food supply so none of them will starve.
We need your help to keep pigeons to a reasonable level by getting them used to feeding in the area near their home. Please do not feed them or any other wildlife anywhere else in the Abbey Gardens.
