The Open 2025: Hawks hired to scare off Royal Portrush seagulls

BBC News

16-07-2025

Golf fans flocking to Northern Ireland's north coast to watch The Open will be hoping to see more than a fair share of birdies and eagles.But it is a team of birdies of the feathered variety that are working hard to protect the golfing public over the coming days.A cast of Harris hawks has been drafted in by tournament organisers to keep hungry seagulls away from the course.Falconer David Trenier told BBC News NI the hawks are making sure golf fans can enjoy their food in peace.
"They are very, very sociable, used to working with large crowds and are big enough to spook the gulls enough to move them off," he said.Four hawks have been on the course "morning and night" since the gates opened to the public on Sunday, Mr Trenier said.The birds - named Aurora, Belle, Caine and Cheyenne - will rotate in shifts throughout the tournament.The team from Clear Skies Falconry Pest Control is specifically tasked with patrolling the skies over areas where food is served.
Situated on the north Antrim coast, Portrush is a familiar haunt for seagulls.Often, Mr Trenier said, the gulls can have "an aggressive nature for food"."When they come in, the presence of the hawk on the course puts them off, they make sure the gulls don't come down" he said.They are the ideal bird for the job, Mr Trenier added, and a "clean and green method of pest control".It is a method used frequently at other major sporting events.Previous Open Championships at Troon and St Andrews have similarly called on birds of prey, while Rufus, an American Harris hawk, has been scaring pigeons at Wimbledon for more than 15 years.
The tournament-going public seem to love them, Mr Trenier said."It is so lovely to see the public reaction, they want to talk and they want to ask questions."The kids want to have a picture taken and know more about them."The Harris hawks will be joined over the weekend by Pilgrim - Clear Skies Falconry's 24-year-old bald eagle."He will definitely disturb the gulls," Mr Trenier said. He added that Pilgrim's presence also tips a cap to the large contingent of American golfers playing at Portrush because the species is the national bird of the United States.More than 275,000 spectators are expected during the eight days of practice and competition, making it the largest sporting event held in Northern Ireland.