COMMUTERS who see a large bird of prey and hear warning cries at a Southend train station over the next few weeks need not worry – she is actually doing her job.

Rail firm c2c is continuing its innovative method to scare away nuisance pigeons at south Essex stations, following a successful trial across the network.

Last year, "Keith the Harris Hawk" was employed in a trial in using birds of prey to control pigeons populations at Upminster, Southend East, Southend Central, Benfleet, Pitsea, Laindon, Basildon, and Barking.

Now, Bella the hawk is being loaned to c2c by GB Hawking over the next few months following issues at Southend East station.

Echo: Bella the Hawk with her handlerBella the Hawk with her handler (Image: c2c)

Commuters will also hear warning cry deterrents over the PA system, in a new trial to support Bella with her work.

A c2c spokesman said: “Following the successful introduction of ‘Keith the Harris Hawk’ at a number of c2c stations in south Essex last year, we have this week brought in ‘Bella the Hawk’ to help us better manage and control the impact of nuisance pigeons at Southend East station.

“Bella, who has been loaned to us by eco-friendly bird control specialists, GB Hawking,  ill be present, along with her handler, at Southend East for a couple of days each week over the next few months, or until the problems subsides.

Bella is not there to kill the pigeons but to scare them away, the firm has reassured.

“To support Bella with her work, we will also be trialling a series of warning cry deterrents which will play over the station’s PA system at various intervals during the day”, the spokesman continued.

“Customers are reminded that Bella is trained to the scare the pigeons away - her scent alone will do this - and she will not interact or harm them in any way.”