Pigeon-proofed bridghe has pigeons inside, can't find an exit?

[Amoeba]

This was reminded by another topic...

There is a bridge about half a mile from where I live that has been pigeon-proofed. Thing is when I heard and saw live pigeons and chicks inside I went to have a look at where they got in. This is a small bridge so there isn't a lot to look for, but I circled the whole thing and I didn't see a single exit, everything was tightly pinned down. There were a couple of holes but they had been patched.

It kind of makes me feel sick that they might be trapped in there, but then again they might not, I may have just missed a small exit. Haven't seen them flying in or out anywhere though, and there weren't any pigeons outside the wire proofing.

It just reminds me of a time where a friend's parents got their roof squirrel-proofed, but the workmen did it while the squirrels were still inside and they died of dehydration/suffocation/starvation (whichever it was) over the course of a few days.

If I were to discover that there is no way for the pigeons to escape, is there anything that can be done? Or will nobody bother since they're "feral" and "pests"? I'm certainly going to ask about it after I visit that area again. I hope they've been able to get out at some point. Anybody else had experience with trapped birds/other animals when an area was proofed of them?

[valleyforge]

Hi Amoeba,

This is one of those situations where your best port of call may be to get in touch with your local SPCA (Scottish SPCA is on 03000 999 999, if I'm right in thinking you are in Scotland?).

If the birds are trapped, then they have the mandate to call out the appropriate council department to assist the temporary removal of netting and repair any areas where birds have gained access. If it looks like the birds have become trapped through negligence, then they are in a position also to raise a case for prosecution if need be.