Be a Rooftop Bird Champion.. The petition to reduce the use of cruel bird deterrents has gained incredible support. Will you help to put a stop to the more brutal measures? The scandal of how our Rooftop birds are treated needs to catch the eye of more of the wider public. Together we can get the UK Government’s attention. Please sign the petition and share it widely.
A big thank you!
Many thanks to those who have contributed to promote the petition. It means a lot especially in these difficult times.
Some kind people have even donated photographs for the petition. This week’s image is thanks to ©Maït Foulkes and features a gull in Scotland who has something to say about rooftop bird spikes and those that think birds should be mistreated.
Many of you will have heard about the landmark IPCC report on climate change that came out. It’s far too easy to give in to individual despair in the face of the inaction of our Governments. I myself have been struck by the bravery of campaigners internationally. Also, seeing the encouraging comments of supporters of this petition has shown me just how much people value our wildlife and biodiversity. People are beginning to appreciate for themselves how nature contributes to our lives and wellbeing. Many are joining up the dots that link the related crises of biodiversity and climate. Right now we need both big things to happen urgently to stop this climate disaster yet also we must not forget the little things along the way. I refuse to give in to despair and prefer to take action. I hope you as a supporter of the environment and planet will do too. It will need all of us to throw everything we can at the problem to turn this around.
Please contribute in whatever way you can.
For Rooftop Birds; help ramp up the pressure on the authorities to stop the cruelty and save birds lives. Sign, share or promote the petition.
Become a Rooftop Bird Activist. Help promote the petition or simply share a selfie with a hand-made colourful placard adding two of the hashtags from the list below. Add in the petition link too if possible. Thank you. If you have regular rooftop bird visitors why not feature them in your selfie too!
#NoToBirdSpikes #BanBirdNetting #ReduceBirdDeterrents #LetTheBirdsFly #Biodiversity #GullsAreGreat #ClimateAction #PigeonsDeserveBetter #Nature
No To Metal Bird Spikes. Ban Bird Netting.
I started the ChangeOrg petition after seeing a dead Herring Gull seemingly killed by bird deterrent spikes on a rooftop.
Having grown up near the coast, I was shocked to find out that, though Herring Gulls still seem common, their populations have plummeted by a staggering 50 per cent since 1970. Defined as vulnerable, these rooftop birds are now on the red list of birds of conservation concern.
Herring Gulls are not the only rooftop birds affected by the cruel bird deterrents. For example Kittiwakes are red listed. The Lesser Black-backed Gull is also on the amber list and swallows and swifts maybe declining. Turtle Doves are in danger of extinction. Rooftop birds like gulls, pigeons, birds of prey, crows, swifts and swallows are all vulnerable to being injured or killed by the bird netting & spikes. And it’s all still being used on our buildings and garden walls.
Apart from helping maintain life-giving biodiversity, the bottom line to this issue is that cruelty should be designed out from the choice of deterrent measures used against rooftop birds. Netting if installed should be maintained regularly to prevent deaths and injuries. Preferably it should be banned. In the face of the climate and biodiversity crises let’s tip the balance the right way in favour of nature, climate and against animal cruelty.
Every small action we take; even to save a seagull, pigeon, swallow or swift helps!
Save the seagull?
I’ve been struck by the mixed reaction to gulls and pigeons from those commenting on the news coverage here in Wales. It’s definitely a bit of a marmite; love them or don’t care at all for them reaction. People either really care for birds in general; and this, for them, includes ‘common’ birds. Others point to bird mess (the threat to public health is vastly exaggerated and simple regular maintenance prevents it), the birds protecting their young during breeding season (who wouldn’t!), stealing of ice creams (we’ll get over it?) and the noise they make.
We humans depend on the incredible diversity of nature for our very existence. I’m a gardener, so like many of us, I have really noticed the effects of climate change & biodiversity loss in my work to grow food. I’m reminded that all this diverse nature, however common, is part of a bigger jigsaw worldwide. Each species or puzzle piece contributes to the whole; often in ways we haven’t begun to understand. It is this altogether that makes this crazy planet we live on thrive so we survive.
Let’s leave a functioning planet behind for our children. Let’s include
the squawking gulls and the common birds of our rooftops too. All life matters.
3 further things you can also do to help
Join the Facebook group: Rooftop Bird Club
If you have photographic evidence of death or injury to birds caused by bird deterrents please consider sharing photos either to the Rooftop Bird Club or post on social media with the petition link with your reaction and the relevant hashtags. If you are on Twitter do DM me at @joboxer12.
Any helpful ideas, research or contacts please DM at @joboxer12 or at the Rooftop Bird Club.
Let’s keep this petition flying!