Oh dear Minsmere

Bird spikes are the most effective deterrent for stopping birds perching on a structure, however they should only ever be used where appropriate as in this case for the hygiene of our visitors eating in this specific spot outside the café.

The flexible spikes don’t hurt the birds but prevents them from sitting along that beam.

To the immediate left of the bird spikes there are woodpigeons nesting on the unobstructed beams – this is where we have relocated the tables from.

Minsmere also has a wealth of natural perching and nesting spots in the immediate vicinity of the Visitor Centre. We would never enclose entire buildings or trees with netting or nest spikes.

Thanks for the reply Matt and I understand why you put it up but I just think it doesn't look good.
I would have thought something like bunting would have been a better option but I've not seen the site so don't know if that would have been possible.

My Flickr photos

I just think that is a bad idea to put spikes (flexible or not) on a building in Minsmere. Surely we need to encourage the birds not prohibit them from landing on buildings, it gives out the wrong message to people who might copy the idea but not care whether the spikes can injure or not.

Lot to learn

In reply to Alan:

Alan W said:

Thanks for the reply Matt and I understand why you put it up but I just think it doesn't look good.
I would have thought something like bunting would have been a better option but I've not seen the site so don't know if that would have been possible.

Or maybe just moving the table. Once again wildlife suffers from some bad human design, but it shouldn't in an RSPB domain.

I think everybody has the wrong idea. Agreed they don’t look bird friendly but they have been there for at least ten years and nobody has complained. They are plastic and bend if a pigeon alights on them. They were put there as a health risk to avoid pigeons spending the night hours pooing over the tables and ground below. It can be very difficult to clean up once dry after being there most of the night.
0