Hawk recruited to tackle pigeon problem at East Yorkshire train stations
Maverick and Zulu have been deployed in Beverley and Driffield
Hawks are patrolling the skies above two train stations in East Yorkshire to scare off pigeons which have been causing problems for customers.
Maverick and Zulu have been deployed at stations in Beverley and Driffield, as part of a 12-week trial which began in February.
The Harris Hawks are there to deter the pigeons and prevent them from nesting, but they are not used for hunting.
If they prove to be effective, Northern say they could be introduced at other Northern stations which have been plagued by pigeons in recent years.
The train operator says it has been locked in a long-running battle with the birds, as they damage station roofs and cause issues with their hazardous and corrosive droppings.
Alex Hornby, Northern's commercial and customer director, said: “We have tried plastic owls and recorded hawk noises but they weren't an effective deterrent, so now we’ve brought in real birds of prey to help us with our pigeon problem.
“The pigeons are a real nuisance for our customers and cause headaches for the station staff who have to clear up after them. That’s why we’re determined to find humane ways of keeping them away.”