A series of signs have appeared at Ipswich Old Cemetery warning of birds indulging in “very destructive behaviour.”

Ipswich Star: The sign in the Old Cemetery.The sign in the Old Cemetery.

The notices said there had been a “sharp increase” in bird numbers, and wildlife lovers were worried about the idea that cemetery staff were looking for a “long term solution” to the problem.

Regular visitor Elaine Pattern was shocked by the signs.

She said: “This is a great surprise to me as over the past 10-15 years the habitat in both cemeteries has been dramatically reduced with a programme of hedge cutting and tree felling.

“Added to this the water troughs, positioned next to the taps, where the varied wildlife living in the cemetery could get a drink of fresh water, were removed several years ago.

“What once was a beautiful habitat for urban wildlife and birds has been systematically destroyed, and the Bereavement Office wonder why the birds are causing a problem in their pursuit of getting a drink!

“I am concerned as to the motive behind this sign and their plans to rectify this ‘problem’ which they appear to have brought upon themselves.”

A spokesman for the council admitted the signs were nothing to crow about. He added: An IBC spokesman said: “We have removed the signs as we do not want to give the impression that we are in any way against bird life.”

He said the problem was that since the water troughs had been removed, birds had tried to get a drink from vases on graves – and some larger birds had knocked over vases and flowers, causing distress to relatives who looked after graves.

Cemetery staff were thinking of re-instating the troughs, or even installing bird baths to ensure feathered visitors had somewhere to get a drink.

We understand that the troughs were initially withdrawn because cemetery visitors had been disturbed to find a drowned squirrel in a trough one morning.