A Norwich student is keen to propose a ‘more humane’ alternative to Norwich City Council’s ‘Stop the Pigeon’ plans.

Summer Loh, 19, started her Instagram account @littlewingedfriends to keep track of sick and injured pigeons she helped around Norwich to raise awareness and spread the joy of pigeons.

“Through feeding or watching them, you realise that pigeons are full of character, and each one has their own personality.

“They are adorable and funny, and mean no harm,” said Summer.

Little Winged Friends has recently criticised Norwich City Council’s proposal to ban pigeons from Norwich Market – a campaign they call ‘Stop the Pigeon’.

The proposal initially included a four-week trial of a trained Harris’s hawk to patrol the market and scare off the pigeons.

The trial, which is reported to have cost the council £4000, was publicly halted in January 2026. Animal activists claim the falconer stopped showing up at the market as early as 8 December 2025.

Summer said that the use of the hawk would not have worked “regardless” of locals feeding the birds.

“I would watch the falconer on most days he was there, and I never saw a difference in the size of the pigeon flock.” 

Summer was motivated to start a TikTok page under the same name to gain more traction about the issues pigeons face in Norwich.

The page encourages signatures to her change.org petition, which proposes an alternative solution of a volunteer-run dovecote and rehabilitation office.

She suggests that the dovecote, a building specifically used to house pigeons, could be built in the space of an old toilet block in Chapelfield Gardens, which has been out of use for over a decade.

“The pigeons would have a safe space to live and be fed.

“It would be volunteer-run and the upkeep of the dovecote would be fundraised, so the council would not have to channel manpower or much money into the maintenance of it.” 

Summer has suggested this solution in response to a meeting Norwich City Council will hold on Tuesday 27 January.

According to the agenda, councillors will explore the introduction of fixed penalty notices for individuals who, after prior warning, persistently and intentionally feed the pigeons with seed or similar food.

Summer has urged supporters to sign her petition and to email Norwich City Council to ask them to reconsider the ban.

“I hope that people in Norwich will be more compassionate towards the pigeons and learn to live harmoniously alongside them.

“We are not the only creatures on this earth, and we do not have the right to decide what animals deserve to live.” 

You can sign Little Winged Friend’s petition here

Image Credit: David Willis