Hawk recruited in bid to keep King's Cross pigeon-free

On patrol: Aria the hawk at King's Cross
Jeremy Selwyn

Bosses at King’s Cross have recruited a hawk to scare off pigeons.

Aria, a one-year-old Harris hawk, patrols the station for a contractor employed by Network Rail.

Her handler, Max Bell, said: “She goes in there three days a week for four hours each time. I walk around with the bird and her presence puts the pigeons off coming in to the building.”

Aria is allowed to fly at King’s Cross only when it is closed. “There’s a slight chance she would get hold of a pigeon in front of people, which we wouldn’t want,” said Mr Bell, pictured left with Aria.

“Only two people out of 100 have said that it’s cruel, all the other people seem to love the idea.”

A Network Rail spokesman said: “Hawks are well fed before flying, to avoid any birds becoming lunch or dinner.”

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