Carrion and vermin are being reduced in Skipton by employing the services of raptors. Matthew Hurst has been contracted by the loc...
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There are fewer feral pigeons in Skipton these days thanks, in part, to Matthew Hurst, who has been thinning out the pests – along with countless seagulls, rats and rabbits – with his birds of prey on a nearby tip.
It has been the remit of the 21-year-old from Hanlith, in Malhamdale, to reduce the carrion and vermin at Skibeden landfill site, on the outskirts of the town, since gaining a contract with the county council.
Matthew flits between giving flying displays with his birds at shows during the summer and fulfilling pest control contracts, primarily during the winter.
He flies his raptors – usually peregrine falcon, goshawk and Harris hawk – at the tip once a week and can easily catch 100 birds on each visit.
"There are a lot less pigeons in Skipton, and seagulls for that matter, since I've been going up to the landfill site, but it would be impossible to get rid of them all," he said.
"Rats are well-known to carry and spread diseases, like Weil's Disease, for example, but seagulls and pigeons are also a serious health hazard at the site where they roost on the machinery the staff use. Their droppings can contain diseases which are dangerous to humans. Starter pistols to scare the birds don't work after a while, so this is by far the best way."
Matthew takes a variety of raptors with him, each with its own skill. "The peregrine is best for aerial work because it's so fast and can catch its prey in the air, whereas the Harris and goshawk are good for groundwork, catching rabbits or rats and destroying nests," he said.
He also has contracts at airports where birds are a serious safety issue. "They can fly off the runway and into the engines and cause engine failure, which is what happened with that plane, in January last year, on the Hudson River in New York City, USA. It was brought down by a heron. Rabbits bury under the fencing, damaging the security cables and setting alarms off. These are areas where you cannot use firearms to shoot them, so hawks and falcon are preferred. I also think it is a much quicker and more humane way of dealing with pests."
Matthew has secured several contracts for his work and visits sites in and around the district and on the west coast, including at Blackpool Airport, the ICI power station at Fleetwood and at Clifton Marsh landfill site at Freckleton, near Preston.
He is also tendering for a contract at the Menwith Hill communications station where rabbits are a particular nuisance around the perimeter fences.
Matthew, who has been involved with birds of prey for more than 10 years, has been using them in pest control for the past four years.
He employs two full-time helpers and is also able to call on other bird handlers when his work schedule requires it.
At one time he had upwards of 50 birds, ranging from owls to eagles. More recently he has sold a number of them and currently has around 25, including a rare Asian brown wood owl.
Article provided by Malhamdale Falconry