If you happen to see a raptor roaming above your head on your way to class, do not fret: this is not another addition to the array of birds preying on your overpriced lunch. In fact, they are there to protect your sandwiches and chips.
The birds are deployed by the College as part of a strategy aiming to deter seagulls and pigeons. The newest tender came into operation in November 2025, and will be in place for at least the next four years.
This is not new. According to a College spokesperson, similar methods have been in place for a while. However, ever since a new wildlife specialist was employed last term, sightings of the falcon and its handler have increased.
The contractor is on site approximately every two weeks, and is usually seen around College Park. From there, he lets the bird, which is “licensed by the National Parks and Wildlife service”, do its rounds above campus.
According to the College, this programme is in place to “manage the population of seagulls and pigeons”, particularly considering that “these birds present health and safety issues to staff, students, contractors, and the general public”. Nuisance birds can transmit diseases such as salmonella, and contribute to the spread of parasites.
Falconry is a common eco-friendly tactic deployed to deter unwelcome birds from staying in particular areas. Falcons are predatory birds. While they do hunt small birds such as pigeons in the wild, the birds employed in falconry are typically trained not to attack. For the purpose of deterrence, the presence of birds of prey creates a natural threat. They are a natural predator of many nuisance species, including pigeons and seagulls. Their presence therefore creates an unsafe environment for these to nest by activating their flight instinct, causing them to leave the environment. According to the College, other methods of deterrence had been attempted before the deployment of falconry.
Trinity’s campus is notorious for its vicious seagulls, making carefree lunch breaks outdoors a hazardous endeavor. The species most commonly seen around campus is the Herring Gull. Despite their large presence in urban areas, they are considered endangered.
According to Birdwatch Ireland, their population in the country has declined in recent years. This is largely due to the introduction of non-native predatory species that threaten their existence. In addition, overfishing practices reduce the availability of natural food sources for the birds. This drives the gulls into urban areas, and forces them to rely on food scraps, stolen sandwiches, and the contents of bins for nutrition.
Additional reporting by Kamila Malek
