The Kintyre Forum

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:39 am**

An article in the Courier reports Dell Road residents complaints concerning rooks causing a nusiance.

Apparently these tree residents are sh$tting on the ground residents cars and Councillor Colville is quoted as saying that pedestrians are also at risk. He doesn't say from what but it can be can assumed it also sh$t spattering on their person.

This reminds me of the man who bought a house beside a school football park and then complained when balls came in his garden and asked for the pitch to be moved.

A spokesbird for the rookery said that "this is our lives and homes that are on the line and our message to the residents is that they should shut up or sell up. We were here first."

The rooks will be safe for this year anyway because they have started to nest and whoever disturbs them while in that process will be liable for a hefty fine under the wildlife act as I am sure even Councillor Colville is aware.

S

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:18 am**

Yes, interesting in that goes on to suggest that if the council were to fell the trees it would make the site attractive for a property developer, along with the empty council offices.

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:38 am**

Beachcomber wrote:....................... the site attractive for a property developer, along with the empty council offices.

Aye, maybe an immigrant holding centre in the house and an "All Weather Pitch" where the trees are.

The residents could save a fortune on lighting when the pitch is being used at night and I'm sure the council could run to grants for triple glazing for the residents to keep the noise to a minimum when the house residents are coming home to roost every night.

The dynamics of it all are awesome. Parking would be at a premium and then you would have residents complaining about not being able to park at their door.

I think it'll all end in tears all because of some bird droppings. Better get my house on the market now I think.

S

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:42 am**

Beachcomber wrote:Yes, interesting in that goes on to suggest that if the council were to fell the trees it would make the site attractive for a property developer, along with the empty council offices.

Obviously it is not the council that has suggested this, but would not like to think that this is the hidden agenda here. That would be an insult to the intelligence of the electorate.

Why have the birds become a problem at this juncture?

It does seem like a sledgehammer to crack a nut to suggest cutting down any of these trees because these birds are sh!tting on residents' cars. Is it not possible for them to park somewhere else?

Interesting to note that not all the residents are in favour of tree felling.

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:53 pm**

Too many cars taking up both sides of the road, thats what the problem is.
Its the rooks' privelage to shit where they want.
If you disagree, try stopping them.

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:25 pm**

I hope this doesnt end up a case for the special branch :roll:

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:04 pm**

abbey craig wrote:I hope this doesnt end up a case for the special branch

Where's the burds??? :lol:

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:10 pm**

abbey craig wrote:I hope this doesnt end up a case for the special branch

And gods forbid anybody should find themselves up before the beak.

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2008 4:33 pm**

Actually this has been an ongoing problem for years and it's not about birds sh*tting on cars.

The real problems are the constant clogging up of the guttering and downpipes of the buildings in Dell road due to the Sh*t and nesting materials that the rooks seem to love dropping on the roofs of the houses. This has lead to a fair amount of damage to some houses due to flooding. I also know of one person who had to put up the rain cover on her childs buggy when leaving the house cos the rooks had sh*t on her baby! That is a horrible experience and possibly the risk to pedestrians they were on about.

And anyway they weren't there before the buildings most of which habe been there for over a hundred years!

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2008 4:58 pm**

If the problem is not about rooks sh!tting on cars, why does the Courier not report what the problem actually is?

This is the impression given in the Courier.

Incidentally, I would suggest that there have been rooks in Kintyre since long before there were any buildings.

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2008 5:34 pm**

..............and they were certainly there before any of the present residents who knew the rooks were there when they bought their house but to be fair to the flightless parties involved, rooks can be a nusiance and nests that fall on the roof will cause damage because of the nest structure, large twigs that clog up gutters.

In situations like this what is the alternative? Habitat is diminished for all our wildlife when we spread our settlements and we then moan because they have the cheek to try and make do as best they can with what we leave them.

As regards damage to the roofs well the answer is simple. If you don't maintain your property then nature will always take over. Your buildings and contents are reluctant to pay for neglected property or poor maintainence if that is found to be the cause of the damage.

As for the shit dropping on the wean.............I am sure the rooks didn't mean to do that. I suppose the sealife in Campbeltown loch are thinking the same from all the sewage that you and I dump in the loch courtesy of SW.

I think if they can afford a hoose in Dell Road maybe they could stretch to a So'wester for the wean(s)

S

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:25 pm**

'Mon the Rooks!!

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:30 pm**

Is it because they is black?

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:42 pm**

Here is the article from the Courier

http://www.campbeltowncourier.co.uk/new ... rooks.html

Tree felling plan to shift roosting rooks
Published: 29 February, 2008

Trees on Dell Road. To buy: c09del02

COMPLAINTS from residents over rooks nesting in a tree in Dell Road, Campbeltown, had Campbeltown Community Council members fluffing up their feathers at their February meeting.

Councillor Rory Colville explained to members that councillors had received numerous complaints about the rooks and he asked if the community council would agree to the Scots pine in the public garden next to Dell Road, which overhangs into the road way being cut down.

Cars are being damaged by fouling, he told the community councillors, and pedestrians are also at risk.

Cllr Colville felt that it would not be a problem to remove the tree which is up against the wall and leaning into Dell Road.

Community councillors felt that it could create a precedent: ‘If we start down that road where will it end,’ commented one. ‘Will other trees where rooks nest also be cut down?’

Councillor John Semple said that he was not in favour of cutting down trees.

‘Birds have as much right to be there as anyone. Surely it is not beyond the wit of man to move the birds from these trees.’

Director of the Seabird Observatory at Machrihanish, John McGlynn, said: ‘These rooks are there for a short time each year while they are nesting.

‘It would be a pity to cut down a perfectly healthy tree to get rid of the birds which would probably move to the adjoining trees in any case.’

Alasdair Blair, a resident of Dell Road, said: ‘The rooks were there before us. Once this tree has been cut down it cannot be reinstated.’

He added: ‘Gulls, which are scavengers, are probably more of a problem and cause more mess throughout Campbeltown than all the rooks in Dell Road.’

Campbeltown Community Council agreed to let the people of the town have their say on this issue.

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:03 pm**

Can they not just trim the trees back so they don't ovehang???

The Kintyre Forum

Dell Road Trees

Dell Road Trees