GB2469096A - Bird trap - Google Patents

Abstract

A bird trap which can be attached to a wheeled vehicle comprises a deck A onto which bait is placed. Arms B are mounted at pivot C, with a net E attached to the arms at F and to the deck at G. A remote control device activates mechanism D causing the net to cover the deck, capturing any birds (pigeons) thereon. Any non-target birds can be released and the target birds can be humanely destroyed. Alternatively, once transported, the trap can be removed from the vehicle to become a free standing trap.

Description

Bird Trap Feral pigeon problems.

Feral pigeons are a common sight in many town and city centres where they thrive on waste food that is often carelessly discarded, especially around fast food outlets that are common on high streets and shopping areas. Also many people enjoy feeding the birds in the local park or square and it is a common sight to see workers enjoying their lunch in the fresh air sat on a bench seat throwing a few crumbs for the friendly pigeons that quickly gather around anyone who looks likely to supply a tasty snack.

However large numbers of pigeons can produce huge quantities of extremely unpleasant droppings especially in and around their roosting sites, literally tonnes in some cases. Their droppings and nesting material can cause massive damage to buildings as structures become over loaded, guttering and drain pipes become blocked allowing the ingress of rain water and acid erosion defaces fine buildings. There are many methods of proofing against the feral pigeon including nets, spikes and wires, and these can be very effective for individual buildings although pigeons will always have the option of simply moving to another less well-protected site. Feral pigeons also carry many diseases transmissible to man and can represent a serious risk to public health.

Existing methods of control The law permits a number of methods for the control of pigeon numbers and as withdrawing the food supply seems unlikely the main remaining options are cage trapping and shooting. Cage trapping involves constructing a large aviary type trap in a suitable place. This must be left in place for some time so finding a place that would not attract unwelcome attention can be a problem, an inaccessible flat roof would be a good choice if one were available in the right area. This must first be pre-baited and then checked at least once per day and any trapped birds removed. Shooting is an option but can have its disadvantages, the only suitable weapons for this are air weapons and small bore shotguns. The air rifle can be effective only at close range and only humane if a clean headshot taken but there can be many badly placed shots that could result in wounded birds or property damage. Of the small bore shotguns the 410 can cause serious damage to property and the 9mm can wound more birds than are killed cleanly unless at very close range. With any weapon there is the danger of ricochet.

Solving the problems The invented bird trap is designed to cost effectively overcome the problems associated with the above methods, being speedily transportable, speedily set up, speedily operated and speedily removed. It is humane in that the target birds can be quickly destroyed using a hand held humane dispatcher for the target species and any non target species released unharmed. The bird trap relies on the feral pigeons habit of gathering on roof tops and ledges on and around buildings at first light, the birds are hungry and soon descend to the ground where they search for food. The birds are encouraged to alight on to the deck of the trap by the use of suitable bait, corn or breadcrumbs for example. The trap is then sprung using the remote control and the pigeons are captured. it is anticipated that the trap may be found effective in other areas such as sewerage works, grain storage depots and animal feed mills, where the numbers of harmful birds need to be controlled.

A description of the bird trap

The trap is designed to be a wheeled vehicle in a way that allows rapid transport between trapping sites. The trap is further designed in a way so as not to attract attention to the trapping activity both by having the appearance of a goods trailer and by enabling the trapping operation to be carried out at great speed and then moving on quickly so as to reduce the likelihood of encountering negative public reaction. The trap may also be designed in a way that allows it to be detached from a wheeled vehicle and become a freestanding trap.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a third angle projection view of a bird trap designed to be a wheeled vehicle that may be towed using a suitable vehicle.

Figure 2 shows a third angle projection view of a freestanding bird trap.

The main chassis or frame is of metallic construction and fitted with suitable wheels, suspension, lighting and other equipment so as to make it legal to use on the public highway. A deck (A) is attached to the top of the chassis in such a way as to provide storage space below and to provide sufficient clearance for the working and moving parts of the operating mechanism (D), the deck of the trap should be of a size that allows as many birds to alight on it as possible without the deck being so large that it would render the trap unsafe, impractical or illegal for use on the public highway. The deck must also be of a size that it is not so large that no trapped bird will be out of the reach of the operator. The trap is fitted with a mechanism that when released causes a net (E) of suitable fabric and of a suitable mesh size for the targeted species, attached at points (F) and (G), to cover the deck in such a manner that any bird that has alighted on to the deck be restrained and unable to escape. This action should occur at such a speed as to cover and restrain the birds before they have sufficient time to take flight and escape. One or more arms (B) that are mounted in a way that allows them to pivot at suitable points may be used to achieve this action and will be synchronised so as to achieve a unified motion. This may be by a connecting shaft (C) or other suitable method either mechanical or electrical. The motion of the arms may be supplied by the action of springs either in compression or tension, by elastic material, by a pressurised fluid or by electrical actuator. In whatever way the motion of the arms is supplied it will be under control by means of a remote switching device such that it allows the trap operator to retreat a suitable distance yet still have control over the operation of the trap. Electric power may be supplied by a suitable power source carried either inside or outside the main body of the trap or by a suitable connection with any other power source.

Using the bird trap In use the trap is taken to an area where target birds are active and visible. The trap is then prepared for use by setting the mechanism and scattering suitable bait onto the deck, care being taken not to allow any of the bait to spill on to the ground. The operator can then retreat a suitable distance and await the arrival of the target birds.

When the operator judges it to be the optimum moment be will use the remote control to spring the trap. The target birds are now captured. The target birds may now be humanely destroyed and any non-target birds released, if necessary the trap may be taken to a more suitable location for the dispatching process but should not be any further than absolutely necessary to avoid causing unnecessary stress to the trapped birds. In some circumstances it may be necessary to transfer the trapped birds into a suitable holding container so that the birds may be transported and destroyed elsewhere. The trap operator must at the time of operation be aware of the sentiments of any casual observer and should undertake to be as discrete as possible, and should not undertake the destruction of trapped target birds where it might cause distress to any onlooker. It is anticipated the trapping will be undertaken at first light in the summer months when few casual observers are likely at such an early hour.

Claims (6)

1. Claims 1. A bird trap that is speedily transportable between trapping sites comprising a deck on to which the target birds are encouraged to alight, a mechanism that causes a net to cover the deck, and a remote control device that triggers the mechanism such that any birds on the deck are captured.
2. 2. A bird trap according to claim 1, which is mounted on a wheeled vehicle so as to make it readily transportable.
3. 3. A bird trap according to claim 1, which is transported on a wheeled vehicle from which it may be removed and become a freestanding bird trap.
4. 4. A bird trap according to any of the preceding claims, in which a net is caused to trap birds over a fixed deck by the action of one or more pivoting arms.
5. 5. A bird trap according to any of the preceding claims, in which the trap mechanism is activated by a remote control device.
6. 6. A bird trap according to any of the preceding claims, in which the activating mechanism is powered by spring, elastic material pressurised fluid or electrical actuator.