‘Why we installed anti-bird spikes on Clifton trees’

The management company responsible for installing controversial anti-bird spikes to trees in Clifton has defended the measures as a health and safety precaution.

Photos of the severe-looking plastic prongs, installed to protect cars from pigeon droppings, provoked a storm of outrage when they were shared via Twitter earlier this week, with nature lovers speaking out to condemn the “war on wildlife”.

But Hillcrest Estate Management, the company employed by Bartlett Court Residents’ Association to manage the 49 flats on the corners of Pembroke Road and Clifton Down, has responded to criticism, saying the matter was more complex than it’s been painted.

“On the whole estate there are a number of large trees which are all protected by Tree Preservation Orders,” said the company in a statement.

“There are also couple of trees where a number of the branches overhang the private car park and footpath. These particular trees attract roosting pigeons, which in turn, create a lot of detritus on the cars parked below and, more importantly, on the footpath.

“These faeces are then trodden into the building and on to carpets, becoming a health hazard for residents and their children.

‘Bird droppings can cause irreparable damage to paintwork’. Photo by Steve Loughran

“Bird detritus can cause permanent damage to the paintwork on cars if not removed promptly and leaseholders instructed us to take action to try and improve the situation.

“Building a car port was considered, but this proved to be unfeasible due to difficulties with design and build for that particular area, as it is a conservation area. Using covers for cars is a further health issue for those having to remove them each day.

“For a number of years, Hillcrest tried various ways to deter the birds from roosting, using fake birds, CDs in trees, noise deterrents at night and cut back some branches, where allowed by the council.

“None of these deterrents had much effect.  After taking further advice from a local tree surgeon and a pest control company, we decided the most humane way was to attach a few spikes to 20 per cent of the lower branches which were the birds’ favoured roosting place.

“They are not nailed into the trees, as some reports indicated, but are in fact attached by cable ties so they can be removed easily which won’t cause damage and also allow us to carry out the continued maintenance to the trees when required.

“The situation has very much improved since the spikes were installed in 2014.  Overall, we wanted to do our best to help the leaseholders, whilst preserving the beautiful trees that form part of the estate.  We must emphasise that the estate has many other trees and is opposite the 400-plus acres of the tree-covered Downs.”

Nature lover Jennifer Garrett shared a photo of the offending measures on Monday (December 18), saying: “Now birds are not allowed in trees?! Pigeon spikes spotted in Clifton, Bristol above a car park. Has anyone seen this before? How is it allowed?!”

Her Tweet prompted people to respond in their thousands, with many condemning the use of the spikes.

Green Councillor for Clifton Paula O’Rourke was also critical of the measures, saying: “Whether allowed or not though, it looks awful and it’s a shame to see trees being literally made uninhabitable to birds – presumably for the sake of car parking.

“Sometimes it’s too easy to lose sight of the benefit that we all gain from trees and green spaces and from the presence of wildlife around us in the city.”

Main photo thanks to Steve Loughran

Read more: ‘War on wildlife’: anti-bird spikes on Clifton trees to protect cars from droppings