The $13 deterrent Reg McLevie has implemented to keep hungry red-tailed black cockatoos away from a cape lilac tree out the front of his Applecross home.
Camera IconThe $13 deterrent Reg McLevie has implemented to keep hungry red-tailed black cockatoos away from a cape lilac tree out the front of his Applecross home. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Applecross man finds cheap solution to bird problem, but wants City of Melville to come up with permanent solution

Bryce LuffMelville Gazette

AN APPLECROSS man forced to clean up after feeding birds says a $13 purchase from a local hardware store will play the role of problem solver until a more permanent solution is reached with his local council.

Reg McLevie said red-tailed black cockatoos were regular guests at the cape lilac tree that stands out the front of the property where he has lived for more than 30 years.

He said the only issue he had with the threatened species feeding heartily on the lilac’s berries was that they then dropped a mix of broken branches and berry shells below, creating a safety issue.

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“I’m forever cleaning up after them,” he said, arguing also that the tree’s roots were beginning to lift footpaths and paving nearby.

“It’s a hazard. The shells are like ball-bearing. I’m sweeping twice a day.”

He said he had requested the City of Melville remove the tree numerous times.

But he believes he may have found an answer in a model hawk, a $12.96 purchase from Bunnings that can hang from trees or balconies.

“I noticed the change immediately. The birds fly on,” Mr McLevie said.

“(The hawk) isn’t there to harm them. It’s just to scare them off.

“This is an easy way to solve the problem.”

He said he was still in favour of the tree being removed, with the roots still a hazard.

The City of Melville was sought for comment.

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