Michael Thibert with a Harris Hawk (Photo by Claire McCormack)
Northern Bruce Peninsula may continue to enlist the services of falcons to keep pesky birds away from public areas.
Council reviewed how Imperial Falconry Services Inc. (IFSI) was able to use birds of prey to control the influx of migrating birds at Lion’s Head Beach and the marina during its meeting on March 10, after hiring the service in October last year.
In a report following the pilot, IFSI says between Oct. 30 and Dec. 11, their team was able to successfully demonstrate the efficacy of their approach in deterring both geese and gulls from the harbour by using a combination of perched and flying birds.
“The presence of falconry birds on-site proved to be an effective deterrent for nuisance birds, with their intimidation factor significantly reducing bird activity. However, the geese occasionally required additional effort, including strategic manipulation of their movement, bringing the falconry birds closer to the geese in more accessible areas, and setting up ambushes to effectively drive them out of the harbour,” says IFSI in its report.
The report adds overall, they had a 97 per cent deterrence rate for all nuisance birds during the pilot.
“Continuing with this approach will not only minimizes disruption to the public this coming season but also aligns with sustainable, non-lethal methods of wildlife management. By understanding and applying the ecological principles of fear and predator-prey dynamics, IFSI will continue to provide a solution that promotes both environmental harmony and recreational enjoyment for the community,” says IFSI in its report.
The municipal 2025 budget includes $54,000 for bird control services and a report will come to council to potentially continue the program.
