Spanish streets, strutting chickens!

Reports in the British press of a pigeon-hunting vigilante allegedly taking aim with an air rifle in Norwich bring to mind a rather more feathered fiasco recently reported in these pages.

Norwich’s historic open-air market – one of England’s oldest – has endured more than a year under siege from pigeons, much to traders’ dismay over hygiene/health concerns. The city council’s earlier schemes – ranging from avian birth control via contraceptive feed to the theatrical deployment of a hawk – were both derailed by campaigners. Now, unease is growing that a vigilante’s decided to intervene personally.

And in Spain? Dawn is often heralded by church bells. In Torrevieja, it came courtesy of 700 roosters clearing their throats. Branded an “invasion” by local media, these birds strutted through parks, patrolled supermarket entrances, were even spotted lingering outside the local KFC – gallows humour not lost on residents.

City hall took a dim view. Contracts were issued, yet just 20% removed so far.

Not everyone was charmed: driveways bore the evidence, the crowing was incessant and drivers quite literally had to wait for the chicken to cross the road!

Yet many objected to any cull. Visitors found them delightful. Locals said they enlivened parks.

One widower even switched on a fountain daily to chat to them.

For some, a nuisance – though thankfully without air rifles. For others, simply Spain being Spain!

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Nora Johnson’s 14 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers, including the latest ‘The House of Secrets’ (www.nora-johnson.net), all available online at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.