With at least two injured after an attack by chewing, the residents of Emmastraat in Alkmaar are well aware. The birds, which are probably protecting their young, make taking a walk a real challenge. But how do you protect yourself from the sharp beaks and claws? According to bird expert Harry Smit, it is best to put something on your head. “A hood, then you won’t feel anything.”
In North Holland the past few days have been several people attacked by aggressive chewing. In Alkmaar, two residents of Emmastraat were injured. “From now on we will take an umbrella with us”, local residents already thought. And that is not a bad idea at all, according to Harry Smit.
Smit is a member of the Vogelwerkgroep Alkmaar and also happens to live in the terrorized Emmastraat. “It is mainly the fear,” he tells NH Nieuws. “But with a cap, hat or cap you hardly feel anything. And after about ten days it will be quiet here again. The jackdaws do not breed, but teach their young to fly these days.”
Text continues below video
How do you guard against aggressive chewing? – NH News
Number of chews doubled
According to resident Adjo Poorter, who yesterday until bleeding was attacked by a jackdaw, the jackdaw population has grown significantly in recent years. And that may be true. According to the Vogelwerkgroep Alkmaar, the number in the municipality doubled between 1984 and 2014.
“In Alkmaar there are about three thousand birds, but that may have decreased by now,” says Rob Struyck of the Vogelwerkgroep. “The national trend is that the population is decreasing, but the jackdaw is very present in North and South Holland.”
The birds like to breed in cavities and according to Struyck this may also be the cause of the increase. “With the arrival of the central heating boiler, many chimneys have been closed, what remains are cavities to breed,” he explains.
“Nonsense to take measures against the chewing”
Taking control measures against the birds is nonsense, according to Struyck. “Nature is very synchronous: you can set your clock to it. Around this time, the young of the jackdaws hatch and you will be bothered by the jackdaw for no more than ten days.”
That the clock can be set in sync with nature is shown by the fact that in 2016 NH Nieuws will be on the same day in the same street a report made about chewing attacks. Is it the same bird? “Could be, but of course I won’t do that,” said Harry Smit.
According to Struyck, we have to accept that we live with the birds here in the city. He wouldn’t want to miss the jackdaw either. “They clean up a lot of our mess and they are fun, intelligent and social birds. And when one has a problem, they come with a whole group screaming to help each other.”
? Don’t you want to miss anything from Alkmaar and surroundings?
Seen a typo? Let us know at [email protected]