Donna Davis' Harris's hawk Rufus is the official pigeon scarer of the Wimbledon tennis tournament.This is how Davis' business came to work keeping pigeons out of matches, as told to Claire Turrell.This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Donna Davis, the 55-year-old director of Avian Environmental Consultants. It has been edited for length and clarity.
His name was Hamish. He was a Harris's hawk, weighed about 650 grams, had a wingspan of 120 centimetres, and flew at speeds of up to 45 kph. I gave the All England Club a call, offered Hamish's services, and within weeks he became the chief bird scarer and patrolled the grounds regularly.Each week, Hamish would patrol the club to stop pigeons from roosting in the grounds and chase them away from the lawns, where they would land to nibble at the grass seed.
At this time of day, we have the place to ourselves, and it's magical. To be working and flying hawks here is unreal. The birds will patrol the courts for 95 pounds per hour until 9 a.m., when the crowds start to arrive. Castor and Pollux may go back to their aviary at our rented home where they can relax and have a bath, and Rufus may stay to do his media rounds. In 2012, someone stole Rufus from our vehicle. But luckily, with all the media interest, the kidnapper apparently gave up andWe bring the hawks to the venues from an early age so they can get used to the sights and sounds of the city.
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