How do I stop pigeons nesting in my garden?

[Daffodil]

I have a small garden with blackbirds and tits nesting but have a pair of pigeons trying to nest in a big cherry tree and frightening off the smaller birds. Anyone have any suggestions on how to move the pigeons on without harming them?

[Susie]

We had a pair of collared doves trying to nest on our satellite dish braket a couple of weeks ago so, being the wildlife friendly and environmentally conscious person I am, I poked the sticks off with a bamboo cane.

In the end they got fed up and went off to nest across the road ... on a neighbour's satellite dish bracket.

[goosey]

Hello Daffodil, it isn't a problem I've encountered so I can't help sorry . But welcome to WAB and I hope someone will be able to come up with something for you.

[FungiJohn]

Hi Daffodil and a warm welcome to WAB. Sorry I can't help re pigeons but someone will bound to know and get back to you. Enjoy!
John

[Oscar2006]

What makes you think the woodys frighten off the other birds?
They are bigger birds, but are quite dumb when it comes down to it, and have every right to try and build their nest wherever they can.
Why can't people let birds do "what birds do" and enjoy it, rather than try and intervene all the time?
Other than that, get a license and a gun and shoot them and be done with it!
Sorry you didn't want them harming?.....Bahhhhh I don't know the answer

Now where's that culling grey squirrels thread.......

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by Daffodil

I have a small garden with blackbirds and tits nesting but have a pair of pigeons trying to nest in a big cherry tree and frightening off the smaller birds. Anyone have any suggestions on how to move the pigeons on without harming them?

You could invest in a peregrine falcon

[mrs fish]

Pigeons don't harm other birds, they have every right to be here.

[Lance Morgan]

Shoot them
Pigeon pie. Lovely
no seriously if you destroy the nest they will move on.

[Walwyn]

Originally Posted by mrs fish

Pigeons don't harm other birds, they have every right to be here.

It sort of depends on how big the garden is and stuff like that. Pigeons can create a lot of mess and bring in disease so you'd need to be very vigilent if you have small children playing in the area, and disinfect on a regular basis.

Two years ago I had a pair of Collar Doves starting to build a nest on top of our security light. Fortunately they gave up after a day or so, but as it was just above the kitchen door I'd have removed it if it looked like they were going to actually build there. The House Martins are fine as the droppings fall onto a roof below the nests and I can clean it up once or twice a year.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Lance Morgan

Shoot them
Pigeon pie. Lovely
no seriously if you destroy the nest they will move on.

That's seriously risky advice!! If you destroy the nest you are breaking the law unless you can prove the nest is a risk to human health and safety (which you might be able to argue for a satellite dish but probably not for a tree), serious damage to agriculture or other reasons such as conservation of a rare species etc....

A nest is protected as soon as it is being built right up until chicks have definately permantly left and you are sure the nest won't be re-used.

You could try bird scaring techniques though.... plastic peregrine? flappy plastic things etc? or learn to love them in their big, dopey pigeon way of life... Small birds are only afraid of being landed on by pigeons, pigeons would never attack them - they like seeds and seedlings not other birdies....