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    > Pigeon war is being won
    > By Ross Lydall, Local Government Correspondent, Evening Standard
    > 7 October 2003
    >
    > The pigeons of Trafalgar Square are smarter than first thought.
    >
    > As many as 4,000 used to mill about in the hope of a peck to eat, but, nine
    > months after Mayor Ken Livingstone (who dubbed the birds "flying rats") put
    > them on reduced rations, and hired a Harris hawk, their number has dropped to
    > a few hundred.
    >
    > As part of a deal with animal rights groups, the birds get breakfast at 7am.
    > Up to 2,500 appear each morning but they know that hanging around is
    > pointless, so they fly off shortly afterwards and no longer plague the
    > world-famous square, now revitalised after a £25 million
    > part-pedestrianisation.
    >
    > The hawk, employed at a cost of £55,000 a year, only does half-days now as
    > result of having less dirty work to do. But a demonstration against it is
    > planned for 20 October.
    >
    > The pigeons' exodus has allowed the square to be used for cultural events,
    > which culminated in David Gray's free summer concert, and an al-fresco caf?as
    > opened.
    >
    > Another benefit is the estimated £140,000 annual saving on the cost of
    > clearing up after them and tackling corrosion from their droppings.
    >
    > But the pigeons' health does not appear to have suffered from the reduced
    > diet. Scientists have been monitoring the weight and health of the birds and
    > findings obtained by the Evening Standard show they are in the same condition
    > as those in Regent's Park and St James's Park.
    >
    > Professor David Goode, head of environment at the GLA, said: "There is no
    > evidence the health of the pigeons has been significantly affected during the
    > first phase of feed reduction."
    >
    > Officers will now meet animal rights groups to discuss more cuts in rations.
    >
    > "As soon as the birds have been fed, they tend to disperse," Mr Goode said.
    > "They're out by 8.30am. There are very few during the day - maybe just up to
    > 200. It's a huge change.
    >
    > "Ken Livingstone is delighted. I think this is a very good example of doing
    > something in a way that does recognise animal welfare issues and might be a
    > good test study for other cities."
    >
    > As for the anti-hawk demo - animal rights groups say it kills "dozens" of
    > birds each month - Niel Hansen, of Save the Trafalgar Square Pigeons, said:
    > "We don't believe the numbers should have been reduced. However, we said if
    > you are going to do it, at least do it humanely."