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'It's obviously not working': Fresh call for action over starling mess
A car covered in starling mess caused by the Kent Square flock - Credit: Sonya Duncan
A further plea for action has been issued to try and solve the problem of starling mess covering Great Yarmouth homes and cars.
People living in Kent Square and surrounding roads are fed up of having to clean their properties and vehicles from mess left by a huge flock of starlings.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council has employed a laser device to try and scare off the flock nesting in trees in Kent Square, but so far there is no sign of the birds moving on.
The council has said it will review the situation to see what steps can be taken next.
Starlings have a wide range of calls including some astonishing mimicry - Credit: Archant
He said: " The laser is obviously not working but it seems there is nothing else on the table.
"I am going to ring environmental health and see if they can get a hawk out, I can't see why that couldn't be an option.
Paul Burton is calling for further action to stop the starling droppings problems - Credit: Sonya Duncan
"They don't seem to have considered any other things."
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Mr Burton said he understood the council might need special permission to trim the trees the starlings roost in.
Mr Burton added: "I think people feel if they just ring the council or contact the MP something will get done.
"The thing is it is getting towards the end of the season and they will probably be leaving in three weeks.
"Once they have gone it is out of sight out of mind, isn't it?"
The starlings are roosting in these trees in Kent Square - Credit: Sonya Duncan
A statement from the borough council said: “The trial of a humane bird deterrent to stop the birds from roosting at dusk is still ongoing.
"We know the disruption that large bird flocks can cause to residents but as starlings are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 they cannot be forcibly removed.
Residents in the Kent Square area are fed up of the starling mess - Credit: Sonya Duncan
“We are continuing with regular enhanced cleaning of the area and we will review next steps once the trial has been completed.”
Starlings in a murmuration above Great Yarmouth. - Credit: Ieva Meksraityte
MP's letter to residents
Brandon Lewis, MP for Great Yarmouth. - Credit: Denise Bradley
The MP for Great Yarmouth Brandon Lewis has contacted the borough council about the problem.
A letter to residents says: "Residents have explained that although beautiful in the area, the murmurations have resulted in consistent unpleasant scenes of bird guano covering the streets and caking cars.
"This is not only unpleasant, it is unsanitary.
"Appreciating that many residents are finding the current situation intolerable, I have been corresponding with Great Yarmouth Borough Council which has increased the level of cleaning in the area.
"Additionally they are exploring options to try and displace the starlings to a new location.
"I hope that this trial is successful and will continue to liaise with the council."
Mr Lewis encouraged anyone with concerns over the starlings to email the borough council's environmental health team at health@ great-yarmouth.gov.uk
