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Starlings! (Sturnus vulgaris)

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Impavidus:
Well named (Sturnus vulgaris) But a better name and genius would be Shite Hawk Maxumis! I have just spent 5 hours cleaning Impavidus only a week after we did the same last weekend. Port Solent is plagued at this time of year by the little B**$_+DS! We have tried CDs on the topping lift, Polly bags, ribbon strips even popping off a few .22 rounds. A friend who is a game keeper has suggested hanging a few dead Starlings at the mast head.
Anyone got any good ideas how to keep then roosting on my mast and rig? 


Best regards.

Ant.

Salty:
Be careful what you say Ant, it's my understanding that all birds in the UK are now protected insofar as amateur "game keepers" are concerned, though believe me I do understand the frustration when faced with these flying guano spreaders. What's even worse is when people actively feed them during the months outside of the winter season when the pests are able to forage for and find sufficient food for themselves. Here in North Wales as well as in some other parts of the UK the gulls have become quite aggressive because they expect to be fed and they have little or no fear of humans. Oh, and by casual observation I'd say that their turds are considerably bigger than those of starlings.

dawntreader:
Try rubber snakes that you get from toy shops. Seem to keep the gulls off us when moored  ;)

BillGiles:
You should see the muck from the geese or ducks in Chichester Marina - oh my!

MarkTheBike:
Yep, same with the gulls in Sutton Harbour, right next to Plymouth Fish Market! And the tourists feeding them chips throughout the summer (damn them). I like the idea of the snakes, perhaps strung up a signals halyard? They'll wriggle but will it be realistic enough? Any tips for most effective method?

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