Hibaldstow villagers divided over peacocks

BBC News

2 days ago

People who share their village with up to 30 wild peacocks and peahens are divided over their feathery neighbours.Residents of Hilbadstow, Lincolnshire, said the birds had roamed the village for decades, roosting on roofs and in trees.Derek Farrow said he had to cover his window to stop them attacking and spitting at their own reflections.However, 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 peahen.He 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."
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