Bird poo is one important factor which can affect water quality. To deter wildfowl from polluting sites used by bathers, the Environment Agency and Teignbridge Council have deployed ‘RoboBird’.

Modelled after the peregrine falcon, the ‘peregrinator’ mimics a natural predator and will perch on Teignmouth promenade throughout the bathing water season. This will help reduce impact from this source on the bathing water, allowing the agency to focus on other known issues.

Seagulls and wildfowl beware – #EARobobird is patrolling Teignmouth 🤖🦅

It is helping us and Teignbridge Council by deterring birds from polluting the bathing water. But it needs a name – share your suggestions.

Learn more about Robobird’s mission: https://t.co/ZxSpVCle2P pic.twitter.com/vEXv1j7wEi

— Environment AgencySW (@EnvAgencySW) May 23, 2024

Jonathan Harvey, an Environment Agency environmental monitoring officer, said: “We’ll gauge the effectiveness of the RoboBird through water quality sampling around the pier. We have also planned more conventional approaches for enhancing Teignmouth’s bathing water quality this season, including investigations into drainage systems and potential misconnections.”

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Teignbridge Council has done bird counts around the bathing water sampling point, before and after the deployment of the RoboBird so its impact on wildfowl populations can be monitored.

Resort manager Sarah Holgate said: “As we unveil this exciting initiative, we also urge responsible environmental practices. Avoid pouring waste oil into drains or sewers, as it poses a threat to our beaches.”