Pest control experts have shot down pigeons roosting on the roof of the V&A Dundee.
The museum confirmed it had asked Dundee City Council for help to manage the birds over fears their acidic droppings could cause damage to the iconic building.
Eyewitnesses contacted The Courier after spotting the pest control operatives on Tuesday evening.
One woman – who asked to remain anonymous – was walking her dog when she saw someone who looked to be shooting the birds at around 9pm.
She said: “They are nesting up there, I have seen them before. I know some people don’t like them.
Acidic droppings ’cause damage over time’
“I’m not sure what kind of gun it was, it wasn’t making a noise.”
A spokesperson for the V&A Dundee said: “Heavy fouling can occur in places where pigeons and other birds roost, such as monuments and large buildings with ledges.
“This can have a destructive effect as the acidic droppings erode stonework over time.
“As a result, we asked Dundee City Council’s environmental services team to carry out pest control operations at the site on the evening of April 12.”
It is not known how many birds were culled as a result of the activity.
Is it legal to kill wild birds?
All wild birds in the UK are protected species and it is generally illegal to kill or harm them unless operating under a license.
General Licences – regulated by Nature Scot – allow authorised people to carry out activities that would otherwise be illegal.
These cover a range of circumstances, such as when killing wild birds is necessary for conservation; to public health or the spread of disease, and to prevent serious damage.
Conversation