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

Dock neighbor A is fighting a years (decades?) long, expensive battle with pigeons. Dock neighbor B appears to be raising pigeons. What do?

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.