Euston Station has recently welcomed a new team member for the coming months, tasked exclusively with driving away pigeons.

Oscar, a Harris’s hawk, will make weekly flights around Euston Station to discourage pigeons from nesting in the area.

According to Network Rail, pigeons have posed a “recurring problem” at the station, frequently roosting, nesting, and foraging in passenger spaces.

They mentioned that Oscar offers a “humane solution,” explaining, “He does not hurt the birds; instead, he serves as a natural repellent.”

The schedule and spots for Oscar’s flights will differ over the upcoming months to ensure his presence effectively deters the pigeons.

While using hawks to repel pigeons is not a novel approach, Network Rail has implemented this strategy before, such as in 2018, when Aria the Harris’s hawk was introduced to redirect “sandwich-stealing pigeons” at Waterloo station.

Rufus, an American Harris’s hawk, has been the chief pigeon deterrent at the annual Wimbledon tennis tournament for 17 years and even boasts his own Instagram profile.

Matt Ferguson, the senior station interface manager for London Euston, remarked, “We are constantly seeking innovative methods to enhance the station experience for our passengers, and Oscar is already proving to be an excellent addition to the team.”

He noted that there has already been a “marked reduction in pigeon activity” since Oscar took on his role, helping to “maintain a cleaner and more inviting environment for everyone.”

Oscar’s falconer, Adel Letchford, added, “Oscar has adapted to Euston like a champion: composed, relaxed, and already making an impression on the pigeons.

“It’s fantastic to see how rapidly he has made a difference; the pigeons are certainly receiving the message, and passengers appear to enjoy spotting him during his patrols!”