Dock neighbor A is fighting a years (decades?) long, expensive battle with pigeons. Dock neighbor B appears to be raising pigeons. What do?
Posted by whyrumalwaysgone@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 58 comments
Some context: I dont live in this marina, so I do not have a stake here, purely an ethical question.
Recently installed a lithium bank for "Andy", noticed pigeon poop everywhere and tons of anti-bird stuff. Fishing netting stuffed in the sail covers to block it, various strings and spinny bit, still bird poop everywhere. He pays a hefty fee for boat cleaners every time he goes out, or spends hours scrubbing it himself (75yo guy).
Now I'm installing a genset for his dock neighbor "Bob", and I cant help but notice he seems to be raising (or at least providing shelter to) a couple families of pigeons. See baby bird pic above.
Some points of interest:
1) neither boat owner lives aboard, weekend sailors.
2) boat cleaners are real money here, its a fancy(ish) marina that requires insurance and stuff, cleaner have work vans and uniforms. Not cheap.
3) I dont love pigeons, but have no desire to see baby birds get wiped out by an angry sailor.
4) I'm kind of friends with Andy, the guy who is getting pooped on. Not close, but hes invited me sailing and I dont dislike the guy.
5) I've never seen a pigeon on the docks anywhere else, its down near the end of a long dock in a big marina (700+ boats)
My first instinct is to keep my mouth shut, but I'm open to suggestions.
Francis-BLT@reddit
Go to C
MrSnowden@reddit
Casually mention to B that you noticed pigeons seem to be nesting in B's space, but you heard they are pooping on A and you expect A would really appreciate it if that wasn't the case. Then its on B. He knows and either takes action or doesn't.
ratafria@reddit
Also inform everyone there is sterilising bird food.
Lack of fertile eggs might satisfy everyone.
GWHZS@reddit
You mean bird control.
ratafria@reddit
Yes birdthdtz control.
nimrodrool@reddit
Berth control was right there
Bad_Idea_Generator@reddit
I hate you for laughing at this
whyrumalwaysgone@reddit (OP)
This mature and responsible approach is probably the "least drama" solution to the problem. Because of this, I have ruled it out completely as an option.
To paraphrase Yoda: "Begun, the pigeon wars have"
thegoatmenace@reddit
We must be reasonable. Sink both boats, kill both sailors, eat the pigeons.
ben125125@reddit
You can get a device that emmits sounds that will basically stop birds from coming close to your area.
liftedlimo@reddit
I feel kinda strongly about bird poo.
Worked with a guy for years. His wife's best friend was wheelchair bound at ~62 due to a virus in bird poop. My coworkers stories about the situation made me sour to birds.
The story was something like: Husband and wife both worked high earning jobs, 24/7 lawyer style. Wife has a few medical issues, so they retired early and upgraded their sailboat to a new larger one to travel the world finally.
They were on their sailing trip and met my co worker in Florida at a dock side bar. Dock and bar railings were covered in bird poop. Bird poop all over their hands.
I don't remember the specifics but it was something like 6 months later the wife's health dropped off dramatically. She went partially blind and her limbs started to not work. Went to a specialist and wife had some disease from bird poop. The wife who was a powerful working person is now wheelchair bound, mostly blind, and in her 60s with a full retirement ahead of her. Not ideal.
My co worker blames himself for picking that dockside bar. He tells everyone he knows it isn't his fault, but you can tell there's allot of blame still.
OldBowDude@reddit
How to roast pigeon https://honest-food.net/roast-pigeon-recipe/
TheFluffiestRedditor@reddit
I was considering installing a family of cats on the dock, but roast pigeon sounds good too
whyrumalwaysgone@reddit (OP)
The adults will be hard to catch, and the babies dont look like they have much meat yet, but I like where your head is at.
drseusswithrabies@reddit
Have you considered the cartoon option? just tip that box and hold it up with a stick on string… pull string, captured!
Borax_Kid69@reddit
There are deterrents you can purchase? A fake Raven, fake Owl, fake Falcon etc...? They have high dollar ones with fake wings that flap and make sounds. There are probably cameras everywhere so I wouldnt do what some of the people here are suggesting.. You could leave nasty notes on the boat? I dont understand why the management allows it.. You could get a petition rolling. People coming together for a cause makes authority types rather nervous. Thats why they try to hard to keep us fighting each other instead of the real problems.
Malec555@reddit
We found Karen
alex1033@reddit
Neighbor A starts raising falcons.
Adddicus@reddit
Raise owls, peregrine falcons and/or Cooper's Hawks.
Borax_Kid69@reddit
peregrine falcons are expensive as hell... I say raise water monitors. They will eat EVERYTHING provided the weather is nice enough for them.
whyrumalwaysgone@reddit (OP)
Hunting the local pigeon population for sport probably violates several of Safe Harbor Marina posted policies. But if not, maybe they can name a new policy after me!
clarionring@reddit
Might I suggest a peregrine falcon on a leash? For neighbor A....
anonanon1313@reddit
In my marina it's ospreys, eagle poop everywhere. They love my spreaders.
NameIGaveMyself@reddit
Trust your instinct to keep your mouth shut. You'll cause a conflict between humans and the birds will suffer. Its just poop. Stay out of it.
Relevant-Diamond2731@reddit
Seems to be costing the guy money
NameIGaveMyself@reddit
Stimulating the economy. Who cares if has to pay someone to clean the poop instead of doing it himself? He's obviously not poor. The person he hires might be.
Proof_Ambassador2006@reddit
If the boat cleaners were smart they'd have a farm of pigeons tucked away nearby...
whyrumalwaysgone@reddit (OP)
This is most likely my response.
Weak-Carpet3339@reddit
Buy a boat cat.
opalandolive@reddit
They're not allowed to move the nest without a permit, and especially not while the nest is active. When the birds fledge, he can flip the bucket over.
https://thelegalguide.org/pigeons-law-federal-state-protection-united-states/
OldBowDude@reddit
Incorrect. Pigeons (Rock Dove) are non-native and are not protected.
SOURCE: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/04/16/2020-06782/list-of-bird-species-to-which-the-migratory-bird-treaty-act-does-not-apply
n2bndru@reddit
Pigeon for dinner. It would only take a few weeks . Once they have their homing instinct set, they will never leave.
Naive_Adeptness6895@reddit
Be careful about choosing sides. Don’t get pigeon holed.
millijuna@reddit
Probably a bad idea to be a stool pigeon…
cheeeky_@reddit
bird law in this country is not governed by reason
br0wntree@reddit
Charlie?
Atomic_meatballs@reddit
I see a plastic box that someone littered on the dock. Fair game to throw it away.
Sailing_Student@reddit
Has he considered buying a pigeon costume and some Taco Bell?
whyrumalwaysgone@reddit (OP)
Perhaps that could be my suggestion for a solution
Sailing_Student@reddit
Glad I could help 😁
rowdy226464@reddit
Move to down and be dock neighbor E or F.
the__itis@reddit
Country?
OldDiehl@reddit
Plot twist: Boat cleaners are the ones actually raising pigeons.
whyrumalwaysgone@reddit (OP)
Yessss!
Sambal_Oelek@reddit
The guy with the nest probably doesn't want the nest or the birds on his boat either, he probably returned to his boat and found the stowaways and didn't have the heart to destroy the nest.
Successful_Cod_8904@reddit
Invite A for a meal, Tell B the pigeons seem to have found better breeding ground.
Confident-Head-5008@reddit
🤣🤣🤣🤣🍺
Flannelot@reddit
/r/stupiddovenests
Optimal-Company-4633@reddit
Honestly, I don't think there is anything you can do. Even if B got rid of the plastic bin, the pigeons are likely to continue returning. They are creatures of habit and like to nest in the same spots. It will be near impossible to get rid of them.
Sh0ckValu3@reddit
Install publicly accessible webcam so we can sit back and enjoy the chaos?
whyrumalwaysgone@reddit (OP)
Best option so far
michael jackson eating popcorn meme
strangersadvice@reddit
Boat cat.
foilrider@reddit
That plastic bucket is not making a gigantic difference in the amount of pigeons being fledged in the area around your marina. Those particular pigeons will be adults in another couple weeks, and you could throw out the plastic tub, but there are probably hundreds of other nest sites nearby that they'll use instead.
whyrumalwaysgone@reddit (OP)
I dont disagree, but its on an end tie waaay out in the harbor. Likely lots of nests, but nothing within 100 yards at least. Suspect the poop boat is convenient
ManWhoIsDrunk@reddit
Move port.
jh937hfiu3hrhv9@reddit
Contact the marina. Raising wildlife is not allowed here.
Agreeable-Spot-7376@reddit
Wish them both the best of luck in the wars to come and sail off into the sunset 🌅
Sir-Realz@reddit
They taste surpriiiiiiiisingly good.