Verm-Out

Pest Control & Game Management

Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis)

After being introduced from North America there numbers have grown to more than 82,500 covering most of the UK all year round. Because of there vast numbers and the damage that the large flocks can do to farmland they have now been added to the list of pest species and can now be shot under general licence all through the year (seasonal in Wales). Their diet consists of vegetation such as grass, roots, seeds and leaves.

Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) 

With around 8,000,000 of these birds now resident in the UK they are also on the pest list and can be shot, their nests and eggs destroyed all through the year. I’ve seen them building nests as early as February and can produce 3 clutches of two eggs per time in a year. A nightmare for the agricultural farmer a flock of 200 pigeons can eat 2 tons of seed in 3 days.

Feral pigeon (Columba livia)

With these birds now multiplying in vast numbers they are not only a pest for the farmers they are also a pest for councils and businesses taking refuge in derilict buildings or bridges at night and then hitting the fields and city centres through the day.

Magpie (Pica pica)

Multiplying in vast quantities and seen in large groups the magpie is known as a scavenger and is often seen at road kills picking off what they can while dodging traffic. Also known as a predator killing adult birds of some species, taking chicks and eggs from other bird nests.

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)

Also often seen feeding on road kills, known to be a solitary bird or in pairs but are also seen in large flocks feeding on newly drilled farmland. Quite a noisy bird when flying calling for response off feeding birds. Another raider of bird nests taking both eggs and chicks.

Rook (Corvus frugilegus)

The rook is another regular visitor to newly drilled farmland but more sociable than the crow and is often seen in large flocks when feeding and going to roost. Another noisy bird especially at nesting sites where they build a large number of nests in one tree and then start fighting over territory.