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Metro
02-06-2025
- General
- Metro
Squawking flock of 40 peacocks terrorise locals in Staffordshire village
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Noisy peacocks have been keeping locals up in the early hours of the morning in a small Staffordshire village. The birds have been ruffling some feathers in Tutbury and the problem is so bad that the parish council has told people not to feed them. Droppings on driveways and vehicles, loud squawking and destroyed gardens are just some of the issues residents are fed up with. Retired dinner lady Marion West, 71, described the peakcoks as a 'bit of a pain'. She said: 'They're up half the night squawking and keep you awake. 'I squirt them with a water pistol if they come near me. If you're not careful, they poo everywhere, and it's such a mess. 'They eat your flowers too, they're a pain in the backside. When they walk on your roof, it sounds like you've got burglars.' Other residents who did not wish to be named described the birds as an 'absolute nuisance' who squawk during the early hours. But some, like Heather Hunter-Harris, 63, who has been living in the area for more than 16 years, think the peacocks are just part of the village's charm. She said: 'The peacocks have always been in Tutbury. I feel like if you take those out, you're taking Tutbury away. 'People come here to see the peacocks, and when they put their tails up, it looks lovely. 'You've just got to be tolerant, keep out their way, and let them get on with it.' According to council chair Francis Crossley, the growing peacock population in the village has created 'serious problems'. He said there were 26 peacocks during the council's last count but said there could now be up to 40. The council is asking everybody in the village to stop feeding the birds after residents complained that they are becoming an 'invasion of privacy'. More Trending Feeding the peacocks encourages them to roost and make loud, early-morning calls near homes, it added. Francis said: 'Some people love them, but some people can't bear them, it's a Marmite situation. 'They wouldn't attack anyone, but when they see their reflection, they do peck – like if they see a reflection in a car. 'As a Parish Council, we haven't really taken a view as they're not ours.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: What is New World Screwworm and can it spread to humans? MORE: Mum finds 'more than 100 maggots' in tin of tuna she bought for toddler's lunch MORE: Warning after 250,000,000 bees escape when lorry crashes
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Squawking peacocks ‘terrorising' village
Villagers have claimed they are being terrorised by a flock of peacocks that are destroying their gardens and keeping them awake past 2am. The noisy birds, in Tutbury, Staffordshire, have become such a problem that council bosses have issued a warning urging people not to feed them. Locals say the peacocks trample their plants, leave droppings on driveways and vehicles, and can be heard 'squawking' in the early hours of the morning. Marion West, a 71-year-old retired dinner lady, said: 'They're up half the night squawking and keep you awake. I squirt them with a water pistol if they come near me. 'If you're not careful, they poo everywhere, and it's such a mess. They eat your flowers too. They're a pain in the backside. And when they walk on your roof, it sounds like you've got burglars.' Another resident, who did not wish to be named, added: 'They're such a nuisance, getting all on your plants and making a mess everywhere. 'I mean, they're lovely birds, but when they're up at 5.30am squawking you don't need it. 'The other night they were noisy until 2am and then back here at 5.30am the next day. As to who owns them, I don't think anyone really knows.' But Heather Hunter-Harris, 63, who has been living in the area for more than 16 years, claimed the peacocks were part of Tutbury's charm. She said: 'They're alright – they are loud, and they're up early. But most birds are. They're cheeky, and if they can get food out of you they will, but I just don't feed them. 'The peacocks have always been in Tutbury. I feel like if you take those out, you're taking Tutbury away. 'People come here to see the peacocks, and when they put their tails up, it looks lovely. You've just got to be tolerant, keep out their way, and let them get on with it.' Tutbury parish council, which described the birds as a 'serious problem', has urged villagers not to feed them as it makes them harder to deter. Francis Crossley, who chairs the council, said he believed there were 26 peacocks during the authority's last count but there could now be up to 40. He added: 'Some people love them, but some people can't bear them. It's a Marmite situation. They're nice to hear in the background, but not outside your house. 'They wouldn't attack anyone, but when they see their reflection, they do peck – like if they see a reflection in a car. They roam around and eat vegetables growing if they aren't covered up, and they are up as soon as it's daylight. 'We just ask that people don't feed them, as neighbours are being disturbed by them. I can understand people's frustration if they end up on your roof because your neighbour is feeding them.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
