Pigeons Occupy Freshly Painted Bench Before Paint Is Dry

A freshly painted public bench near Copper Market was occupied by pigeons before the paint had dried. Three birds landed on the backrest. One walked across the seat. Another reconsidered halfway through. Maintenance workers attempted to move them. The pigeons moved approximately half a metre and returned.

The bench now has several small footprints permanently preserved in the finish. The children’s campaign to preserve the footprints became unexpectedly organised. By noon, the marks had been named, counted and assigned to individual pigeons, despite nobody having the slightest evidence which bird had made which print.

Street Works considered repainting it. Local children strongly objected. One child described the footprints as “historical.” The bench will remain as it is. A small sign now asks residents not to sit until the paint is fully dry. The pigeons have not read the sign. They are currently standing beside it.