Pigeons cause problems at Hoveton's Granary Staithe
Sales of bird feed have been banned for the time being
It is perhaps Norfolk’s premier duck-feeding spot, visited by thousands of waterfowl – and people – each year.
But the allure of an easy meal is attracting the wrong kind of flock, according to the local council.
Granary Staithe, on the banks of the River Bure next to Wroxham Bridge, is becoming increasingly overrun by pigeons eager to peck at the scattered nibbles.
A bird feed seller, authorised by Hoveton Community Council (HCC), has had a stall there for years.
But now, the authority is investigating what effect the stall is having on the influx of pigeons and their position on the staithe is being reconsidered.
They are seen as unfavourable visitors compared to the ducks, swans and geese that frequent the river.
Sales of bird feed have been banned for the time being – a move also linked to an outbreak of avian flu.
It is currently unclear if this will continue into the summer, when hundreds of visitors will flock to the spot on day trips to the Broads.
Ben Bethell, the council clerk, said: “We have a problem with an increasing pigeon population which has a negative impact on people using the staithe.
“The council wants to understand more about the impact of bird seed sales on that problem but notes that the stand on the staithe is certainly not the only outlet in the vicinity.
“It is therefore a difficult problem to address and may not be possible to fix.”
Pigeons are considered the oldest domesticated bird and have been hugely important throughout history as messengers due to their homing ability.
The intelligent birds have made homes in towns and cities because they have lost their natural habitat and have become reliant on scavenging from humans for food.