Peacock haters are 'bored housewife keyboard warriors', say residents campaigning to keep exotic birds

Residents have threatened to resist council officials if they attempt to remove a flock of peacocks that has been terrorising locals for years.

The birds have split opinion on the Ellenborough estate in Maryport, Cumbria, with one side wanting rid of the unruly feathered rabble and others desperate to keep them.

In the past days officials from Cumberland Council have been seen on the estate, apparently preparing for a large-scale rescue operation for the peacocks, which number around 30.

The plan is to utilise police and the fire service and close roads while the tricky business of catching and moving the peacocks begins.

Many residents would be delighted to see them leave.

They say the birds have taken over and are now so brazen that they knock on doors with their beaks looking for food from householders.

People have had their cars damaged by male birds and the squawks and cries of the birds echo around the estate at night, keeping families awake, it is claimed.

However, some now say they will peacefully resist efforts to take the birds away to stately homes around the country.

Dawn Smith, 31, said: “I love the peacocks, they are a big part of life in this part of the town and they do no one any harm.

“I think it’s appalling that the council wants to take them away from the only place they have ever known as home.

“They often come into our garden and even into our house. They perch on the fence and I’ll quite happily go out and feed them.

“If the council or any rescue worker comes to my home I will refuse them entry if the peacocks are on my land.

“I think it’s just wrong that anyone would want to take them away, they are beautiful birds and they bring a lot of people a lot of pleasure.”

Dawn Charlton, 59, who set up the petition “Save Maryport’s Peacocks”, confirmed council officials had been seen on the estate.

She said: “A lot of people will be very unhappy if they move in against the wishes of many people on this estate.

“I’ve already heard of people refusing them permission to enter their properties to inspect the birds.

“The people wanting rid of the peacocks are a minority of bored housewives. They’re keyboard warriors with nothing better to do.

“These birds are beautiful and they bring joy to people all over the area, especially those who can’t get out of their homes. They’ve become a part of life here and they deserve to stay.”

But people living in the Arches area of the estate say they’re being driven to distraction.

Three birds arrived on the estate five years ago after the closure of the Ellen Bank Hotel which used to be their home.

They have bred ever since and now number between 25 and 30.

Luke Pearson, 26, a concrete plant worker, said his new VW Passat had been damaged

Mr Pearson said: “I only bought it six months ago and it’s already covered in peck marks and scratches.

“They come and sit on it and scratch it with their claws and the male birds see their reflections in it and think it’s another male so peck at them

“They’re literally fighting with themselves but the only damage is to the car.

“The other day I was taking my son to school when one of the peacocks took off from a roof, swooped between two houses and slammed into the side of the car.

“It’s only in moments like that when you realise how big they are. They’re a nuisance and need to go.”

Cumberland Council said: “We are still working with other agencies and will be able to update in the next week or so, with more information.”