Hundreds of pigeons have established nests under the concrete arches of the railway bridge connecting the Cappont and Pardinyes neighborhoods in Lleida. This massive presence of birds, which has been gathering there for months or even years, is visible to pedestrians crossing the Príncep de Viana bridge, also known as the guitar bridge.
Pigeons generally seek high, safe places protected from rain and predators to build their nests, mimicking the cliffs of their ancestors. They prefer locations such as holes in roofs, cornices, balconies, air conditioning units, and, as in this case, under bridges.
“"We have no record of complaints regarding the proliferation of pigeons in this area."
Sources from the Lleida City Council reported that they have no record of complaints related to the presence of these birds. They added that the pest control brigade conducts constant monitoring in various parts of the city where pigeon accumulation may exceed comfort thresholds, carrying out individualized actions. In such cases, netting or other physical deterrent measures are used.
The same sources indicated that pigeon captures are decreasing thanks to preventive measures to control nesting sites and the installation of physical barriers when density increases in certain areas. The current structure of the railway bridge dates from between 1928 and 1932, and Adif carried out renovations on the viaduct just over two years ago due to debris caused by the passage of time.
