IF YOU see a large bird of prey hanging around a south Essex train station in the coming weeks don’t freak out – he is only doing his job!

Rail firm c2c is trialling an innovative new method for keeping its stations free of pigeons.

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To deter the birds from settling in the rafters and rooftops, it has employed Keith the Harris Hawk its “chief pilot” in a trial in using birds of prey to control pigeons populations.

The hawk is not there to kill the pigeons but to scare them away, the firm says.

Echo: Keith at Upminster StationKeith at Upminster Station (Image: c2c)

"Keith the Harris Hawk has joined the team on a three-month trial as a method of controlling pigeon populations at our stations,” a c2c spokesman said.

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“This is cheaper, cleaner and a much more natural way to control the pigeons.

"Keith is trained to scare the pigeons away via his presence and scent alone and he does not kill them or interact with them.”

The spokesman added: "He will visit eight stations across the c2c route and after this we will then assess how effective he has been before deciding whether to extend the trial further."

Keith, who is supplied by Kent-based firm South Eastern Pest Solutions, is pictured here at Upminster station but will be visiting Southend East, Southend Central, Benfleet, Pitsea, Laindon, Upminster, Basildon, and Barking in the coming months.