Peregrine falcons are being used to scare seagulls and other scavenging birds away from landfill sites, the Environmental Protection Agency said at a press conference yesterday.
The press conference introduced the EPA Report on Waste Licensing 1997 to 1999, the cover of which carries a picture of a peregrine falcon with its handler and part of a landfill site in the background.
Ms Anne Butler, an EPA director, said the falcons were used at landfill sites where there was an environmental problem with seagulls.
The falcon was sent out to fly over the site at specific times, maybe once or twice a day. This was repeated at exactly the same times for a period.
Gradually, the message went out to other birds that this was the territory of a predator and a dangerous place to be.
She said the method had proved successful and had been well received where there were problems with landfill sites, particularly if they were anywhere near an airport.
Ms Butler added that the falcons had been used at airports, and birds which were proving hazardous to aircraft engines disappeared.