4.

3 BIRD TRAPPING
BIRD SPECIES: Pigeons, Sparrows, Magpies 4.3.1 INTRODUCTION
Traps can be useful for the removal of small local populations of birds. Traps are available for Feral Pigeons, House Sparrows and Magpies. The likelihood of success is enhanced if other techniques, such as scaring or proofing are also employed, in an integrated bird management programme. Bird Trapping Legislation U.K. ONLY Be sure you know the law regarding trapping of pest birds in your country before commencing a trapping programme. Under U.K. Law: trapped birds, if they are not pest species, must be set free killing of pest birds must be done humanely, by neck dislocation live pest birds can be left in the traps as decoys the traps must be inspected at least once every 24 hours food and water, and for magpie decoys a perch and shelter, must be provided

Two sets of bob-wire entrances are supplied as standard in all the traps. If required, these can be replaced with ground funnel entrances, available as optional extras. There is a top door for removal of the birds. The traps are made from galvanised 2.5mm guage welded mesh (50mm x 50mm). The Mk 2 and the Mini traps have a 1mm galvanised steel sheet base tray. Erected dimensions for the Mk 2 and the Foldaway are 1.0m x 0.6m x 0.3m, and for the Mini are 0.62m x 0.46m x 0.30m All the traps are supplied flat packed for erection on site. Flat pack dimensions for the Mk 2 and foldaway are 1.0m x 0.6m x 2cm, and for the Mini are 0.62m x 0.46m x 2cm. Weights are Mk 2 8.0Kg, Foldaway 3.2Kg, and Mini 4.5Kg. Assembly All Traps: Fold down the sides of the trap and join together adjacent sides using the cable ties provided. Mk 2 & Mini Trap only: Place the cage inside the metal base and secure it by fixing cable ties through the holes in the sides of the base. Ensure the bob-wires are on the inside of the base. All Traps: If required, the bob-wires can be removed by opening the securing tabs with a screw driver. Ground funnel entrances can then be secured using plastic cable ties, or hog ring staples. Using the Traps in day-time feeding areas only Survey: Thoroughly survey the area where the birds are causing a problem. Find a suitable site within the flock territory, which is not overlooked by the public. Estimate the number of birds present and decide on the number of traps required. It is recommended that one Mk 2 or Foldaway trap be used for every 50 birds estimated to be in the flock. For populations of 20 to 50 two or three Mini traps can be used. One Mini trap will be suitable for less than 20. Prebaiting: Tie up the bob-wires or remove the funnels and place a mixed seed bait inside the trap and on the ground surrounding the trap. Visit at roughly the same time every day to replenish the bait, gradually reducing the amount on the outside of the trap. Continue this for approximately 14 days, or until the take is consistent.

Ground Funnel

4.3.2 PIGEON CAGE TRAPS

The Network Mk 2 Feral Pigeon Cage Trap is an easily assembled, folding cage trap. It consists of 5 hinged panels, which fit into a solid base tray.

Mk 2 Pigeon Trap A more easily transportable (due to its lighter weight) Foldaway Pigeon Trap is available. This is very similar, but has no base and is only for use on flat surfaces.

Foldaway Pigeon Trap A Mini Pigeon Trap is also available for smaller pigeon clearances. Prebaited Mini Pigeon Trap showing bob-wires held open and water bottle

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Trapping: Once consistent takes are being achieved, drop the bob-wires down, or attach the funnels, using cable ties. Restrict bait to inside the trap and around the entrances. Place a supply of water in the trap and visit it at least once a day. The Network bottle holder (shown above) will hold a variety of different sized and shaped bottles. When catches are high, you should be visiting twice a day. Trapped birds are removed through the top door and should then be killed humanely using neck dislocation. A special tool known as a Semark Despatcher is available for this purpose. Leave a few birds in the trap to encourage others to enter.

The trap is supplied flat-packed in the two halves for erection on site. Cable ties are supplied for fixing it together. Wooden perches and a wooden shelter panel on the roof of the decoy section are included. Assembled Magpie Trap Shelter panel

Semark Despatcher

Trapping section

Decoy section

4.3.3 SPARROW CAGE TRAP

This is a multicatch trap with two one-way entrance tunnels leading into the principal trapping section. Another oneway tunnel then leads to the retention cage. The trap is supplied ready assembled. The trap is made from 1.5mm thick galvanised welded mesh (19mm square). Dimensions: 0.62m x 0.35m x 0.22m. Weight: 1.5Kg

The trap is made from 2.5mm thick galvanised welded mesh (76.2mm x 25.4mm). Flat dimensions of each section: 0.8m x 0.4m x 6cm Erected dimensions of complete trap: 0.8m x 0.8m x 0.45m Weight of decoy cage: 4.3kg Weight of trapping section: 4.2kg Weight of trap fixing kit: 0.2kg Decoy Section This half of the trap is a single compartment with a door on one side and a shelter panel on the roof. It is assembled using the cable ties provided: 8 ties for the roof and 4 ties for each end. To install the perch, cut one of the horizontal wires of the mesh near the middle of each side of the cage, bend the wire inwards and then slide on the large diameter dowel as shown below. In the U.K. it is a legal requirement to give the call bird a perch, shelter, food and water. Check the trap at least twice a day and move it frequently. Trapping Section This half of the trap consists of two trapping compartments with sprung doors on the top of each. Assemble this section with the cable ties provided: 10 for the top, 4 for each end and 4 for the middle partition. Then slot the screw eyes of each of the two thinner dowels onto the wire mesh at each end of the trapping cages. To set the traps, hook the sprung door of the traps under the screw heads on the dowels. These dowels then become the triggers for the traps. Bait the trap with 2 - 3 chicken eggs (possibly 1 broken) to trap your call bird. Move this bird to the decoy cage, which will then attract others into the re-set trapping section.

Sparrow Cage Trap This trap is suitable for use for trapping sparrows inside buildings such as warehouses. It can be very successful and very quick at catching them, depending on the amount of alternative food available for them. Trapping sparrows outdoors would not normally be necessary or appropriate. Using the Trap in day-time feeding areas only Place the trap on a sheet of cardboard or paper to collect food debris and droppings which fall through the mesh base of the trap. For optimum performance site the trap high up, e.g. on top of a pallet on the top shelf of warehouse racking. With sparrow trapping you do not need to pre-bait. Set the trap and bait it with whatever food is available, ideally use what they have been used to feeding on, e.g. bread, cake, grain. The bait only needs to be placed inside the trap, though one or two crumbs could also be placed just outside the entrances. This technique will usually catch small numbers very quickly. It is not advisable to leave the trap down permanently.

4.3.4 MAGPIE TRAP

This trap consists of two separate sections. One section is a decoy cage for the call bird; the other has two trapping compartments. Birds enter the traps through doors which snap shut when the split perch holding them open collapses under the weight of the bird. Screw eye hooked onto end wall of cage Trap door hooked under screw on trigger bar

Perch installed into Decoy Cage

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