Residents Pray that Rosie Will Keep Pigeons at Bay

Heathman was all aflutter when he saw how elegantly the residents of one Swiss Cottage Estate rid themselves of pigeons.

Meet Rosie, the dashing Harris Hawk, who swoops down on St John's Wood Park every week to send pigeons packing from the private Queensmead development.

Rosie would be silent and deadly if it wasn't for the little bell attached to her ankle and the fact that she is highly trained to deter and not to kill pigeons.

Her master, Wayne Parsons, keeps her piled high with "Mousey" morsels from a leather pouch. Mr Parsons and Rosie, native to South America, Work for Van Vynck Environmental a pest control company that deploys birds of prey around London.

Heathman can't think of a more attractive and interesting alternative to the dreaded pigeon netting.