Latest news with #peacocks
Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Peacocks terrorising village renowned for its Spitfire pilots history
Residents of a village famous for its Spitfire pilot training history have claimed that peacocks are attacking their cars. Hibaldstow, in North Lincolnshire, has found itself menaced by nearly 30 peacocks, with cars being attacked after some birds attempted to fight their reflection in the paint or polished bumpers. Gardens and graves have been damaged, while residents have complained that the birds make loud noises at anti-social times. RAF Hibaldstow, where many Second World War Spitfire pilots trained, closed in 1947 but the long runways are intact and the airfield is used by police as a skidpan, model plane enthusiasts and a skydiving business. Last June, the North Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre reopened there after a refurbishment, where visitors can explore the airfield command bunker, see military vehicles up close and join guided tours. The peacocks have been a part of village life since the 1960s, but now some residents are concerned about the increasing population. Les Gladwell, 75, a former shopkeeper in the village, recently opened his curtains and counted 18 peacocks in his garden. He said: 'They have absolutely ruined the garden, eating everything in sight, and they also attack my car. 'Because it's dark-coloured, the male birds see their own reflections in it and attack themselves. The pecking and scratching has caused a lot of damage. 'I often look out and see them surrounding the car with a couple sitting on top of it. I have to bang on the window with my shoes to scare them off. 'They are beautiful birds, and it's nice to see them strutting around the village for some, but it's become too much.' Sarah Filby said she kept a close eye on her five-year-old son when he went into the garden to play football. She said: 'When he was two, he found himself cornered by a peahen with chicks. They become very territorial and can be aggressive, so it was really worrying to see him trapped by them. 'I went out and managed to steer them away from him, and now he's a little bigger he's learning how to handle them himself. 'He goes out with his arms held wide and will usually manage to shoo them away, but I have to keep an eye on him and make sure he's safe. 'The numbers seem to have been growing year on year, and there's no doubt they can be a problem. 'They block the main road and drivers don't know what to do. They beep their horns at them, which just causes the peacocks to stand their ground and squawk back at the cars. 'We've had them wander into the house before, which was interesting. It's not easy to persuade a peacock they need to leave. 'I've spoken to environmental health about them, but they say they're wild birds, just like pigeons. I had to point out that they are definitely not just like pigeons.' David Stothard, a parish councillor, said could see the problems but did not think Hibaldstow would ever get rid of the birds. He said: 'There was a meeting in the village hall to discuss the issue, with one lady suggesting we needed to reduce the numbers, and it was attended by about 60 people. 'The conclusion was that the peacocks would be staying but she was welcome to move on if she wanted to.'
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Hibaldstow villagers divided over peacocks
People who share their village with up to 30 wild peacocks and peahens are divided over their feathery of Hilbadstow, Lincolnshire, said the birds had roamed the village for decades, roosting on roofs and in Farrow said he had to cover his window to stop them attacking and spitting at their own Peter Darling said: "It's a beautiful place to live and they're a phenomena that I enjoy." Wild peafowl - a term which encompasses both peacocks and peahens - can live between 20 and 25 years."They're lovely in their own environment. But the village isn't the right environment for them," Mr Farrow added."They're alright, but we've got far too many. We started off with a couple, and now there's about 30. You want to be here in a morning at 4am, and late at night."Other residents said the birds often peck at flowers in gardens and attack dark-coloured cars due to mistaking their reflections for other birds. Mr Darling, who moved to the village seven years ago, said: "They almost take over the place, but I wouldn't get rid of them at all. They're stunning creatures."Patricia Tipler, from Brigg, said she often visits the village and loves seeing the peacocks."I think they're lovely," she said."I'm a big fan. They're a bit noisy, but they're beautiful." Sussanne Chambers, from Peacocks UK - one of the biggest peacock farms in the country, said the birds would "settle where they feel safe and comfortable".She said: "Peacocks don't tend to fly very far. "There are numerous towns and villages around the UK that have peacock populations, which are welcomed by some - and despised by others."We do offer a peacock removal service and, in a situation like this, my recommendation would be to reduce the numbers rather than to remove the peacocks altogether."Hibaldstow Parish Council chairman Brian Brooks said peafowl have been resident in the village for over 60 years, originating from just one peacock and one said the parish council regularly received complaints from residents about the peafowl, "eating flowers in gardens or on graves and making soil baths in vegetable plots".But added: "They are feral birds and, like all other birds, ducks, pigeons etc, [the parish council] does not have any powers or duty over them." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
The Guardian
7 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
‘They could poo for England': the mystery of the peacocks plaguing a village
In a village there are many things that cause neighbours to argue: differences in politics, disagreements over hedge maintenance, disputes over who will be Santa this Christmas. In east Staffordshire, however, the battle lines have been drawn over something far more unusual. Over the past 25 years, the village of Tutbury has been the home of an ever-growing pride of peacocks and hens who some residents say destroy crops, leave large amounts of mess and whose distinctive calls can be heard at all hours of the day and night. George, who owns a patch of land in the village's allotment where crops are fortified to avoid being ransacked by the peacocks, says the birds are like 'marmite' to the village. 'The people who love them really love them, and the people that hate them really hate them,' he says. Like the situation itself, the peacocks' origin story is a unique one. According to residents, decades ago three peacocks were housed in Tutbury Castle, which sits on a hill overlooking the village. Who put them there and cared for them is a source of debate, but all accounts say that one day whoever fed and looked after them, for reasons unknown, stopped, causing them to scavenge for food in the village. Some people also claimed that, possibly due to the Tutbury Castle being part of the Duchy of Lancaster, the peacocks are also technically owned by the king, hence the lack of action to control them. The disagreements have created such a divide that many of the doors you knock on refuse to speak on the record as people try to avoid conflict with their neighbours. Humphrey and Jackie Toon, 78 and 64, are two of only a few people in the village who feel comfortable making their feelings known publicly. The couple, lifelong residents of Tutbury, believe the peacocks don't mean any harm and are good-natured, but have become a nuisance. 'They wake us up at half four every morning – it's ridiculous,' says Jackie. 'They stop buses, they attack cars if they see their own reflection and they poo everywhere. They could poo for England.' Their sentiments are shared by others. One resident, who wished not to be named to avoid conflict with the peacock-loving household across the road, likened the experience of being surrounded by the birds to being trapped. 'It's like being in a zoo: they're around you, you can't get rid of them. It's like you're in the cage with them; day and night they're there.' They also said the constant noise from the peacocks has made it hard for he and his partner to recover from separate surgeries, and that they planned to move away from Tutbury to escape them. The local parish and borough councils said they were aware of the issue but that neither could do much to help because that was the responsibility of 'whoever owned the peacocks'.
Telegraph
02-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
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.'
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
It's the Peac-y Blinders! Thuggish gang of 40 peacocks are terrorising families living in once-quiet village
Residents of a quaint village have spoke of their hell at being terrorised by a flock of 40 peacocks destroying gardens and keeping them awake at night past 2am. The noisy birds have been ruffling feathers in Tutbury, Staffordshire - to the point where council bosses have now issued a warning urging people not to feed them. Fed-up locals say the peacocks trample their plants, leave droppings on driveways and vehicles and can be heard squawking between 5am to 2am the next morning. Villagers say the pesky flock has become an 'invasion of their privacy' as they regularly climb on rooftops as well as munching on their vegetable patches. Retired dinnerlady Marion West, 71, said: 'They're a bit of a pain - they're up half the night squawking and keep you awake. 'I squirt them with a water pistol if they come near me. 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 local resident, who did not wish to be named, said: 'They're an absolute nuisance, making noise first thing in the morning. Fed-up locals say the peacocks trample their plants, leave droppings on driveways and vehicles and can be heard squawking between 5am to 2am the next morning 'When I moved here 12 years ago, there was one peacock and a peahen, and now there's well over 20. 'They gather on the roofs and keep us all awake - they're absolutely terrible.' Another unnamed resident 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. 'For the people that take photos, they're fine and lovely, but not when you live with them. '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, said the peacocks were part of Tutbury's charm. She said: 'They're all right - 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. 'But 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 has now encouraged villagers not to feed the peacocks, as it makes them harder to deter, after admitting they had become a 'serious problem'. Council chair Francis Crossley said he believed there were 26 peacocks during the council's last count but there could now be up to 40. He added: 'As a parish council, we haven't really taken a view as they're not ours. '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.'
