Birds are too loud !

Dorothy Berry was ticked off by her local council over noise — from Birds singing in her garden. The official note from environmental health warned of “a complaint alleging nuisance caused by birds singing”.

Great grandmother Dorothy said last night: “When I saw the letter I thought someone was larking about. I have a lovely garden in which the blackbirds sing in the trees and on the aerial of the house. But I really don’t see what we can do about that.”

The letter to Dorothy claimed the problem was caused by birdsong “arising from your premises during the early hours”. It went on: “In the interests of preventing any possible disturbance to nearby residents you may wish to consider if any such noise is likely to cause offence. If so, your prompt action in resolving this matter will be appreciated.”

But Dorothy, 65, of Fulham, West London, has not kept birds inside her home since her beloved pet cockatiel died last year.

She added: “We have so much wildlife, it’s so beautiful. The frogs croak in the pond - maybe they are doing that too loudly?”

Dorothy phoned the environmental health officer who wrote the letter. He told her it could not be proved where the birdsong was coming from. The officer visited the house of the person who complained — but could not hear any birdsong from Dorothy’s home in the early hours. He phoned next day to say she had “no case to answer”.

Dorothy said: “You would have thought the council would have had better things to do.”

A spokesman for Hammersmith and Fulham Council said: “We are aware that this matter has ruffled a few feathers. But we must investigate all complaints from residents — however bizarre they may appear.”