Saturday, September 30, 2006

£250 to move pigeon chick from Scottish Parliament

Officials of the Scottish Parliament have drawn up emergency plans to move a pigeon chick from its home on top of the building in Edinburgh to a wildlife sanctuary 100 miles away.

The removal of the chick and its nest, which has been prompted by health and safety fears, would cost approximately £250. The nest was discovered this week above the public entrance to the £430 million building despite the installation of anti-bird spikes over the summer.

Under the plan, the chick would be moved to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust, near Beith, Ayrshire.

Margo McDonald, an independent MSP who has been a vocal critic of the parliament building, which opened three years late and 10 times over budget, said: "For £250 a bird, I will wring their necks myself."

Whilst in London, the mayor's quest to clear Trafalgar Square of pigeons has cost at least £226,000.

Ken Livingstone hired a pair of Harris Hawks to fly over the popular tourist spot and scare the pigeons away.

Figures released show that since November 2003, 121 of the birds have been killed - an average of £90 each.

No comments: