Inhabitants of Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire, are divided regarding the presence of approximately 30 feral peacocks that have claimed the village as their dwelling place for over sixty years. The parish council identifies these birds as a unique, yet contentious, element of the regional scenery. A few of the villagers, including Derek Farrow, have gone to lengths such as window proofing to deter the birds from attacking their own reflections. ‘They’re quite charming creatures when in their natural habitats, but the village is hardly the right environment for them,’ Farrow commented, drawing attention to the disturbance created by their dawn mating calls and garden encroachments.
On the other hand, there are those who enjoy the character the birds add to the community. Peter Darling, a resident of the village for the past seven years, perceives them as enchanting attractions. ‘They do slightly dominate the area, yet I wouldn’t dream of eliminating them entirely,’ he declared. Individual visitors like Patricia Tipler, from nearby Brigg, also voice their appreciation for the peacocks, despite acknowledging the noise they create.
Discussions among local people about the effect of the peacocks on the community has been stirred by rumours that the birds were initially brought to the village by a local farmer. Sussanne Chambers, of Peacocks UK, champions a decrease in population rather than a total banishment in order to reach a compromise. Concurrently, the parish council, under the guidance of chairman Brian Brooks, acknowledges the lengthy tenure of these wild birds, but underlines its limited influence in controlling them as reports of ongoing garden and graveyard disturbances persist.
This article was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.
