have come under heavy fire.

And this week Government's chief conservation officer Dr. David Wingate called for a probe into the use of pesticides and chemicals.

He urged Government to consider enforcing regulations to control them.

His outburst follows the sickening fate of a bluebird found stuck in glue to the roof of a house in the west end.

And just last week mystery surrounded the death of an owl discovered on the North Shore, near Ferry Reach.

The bluebird was ensnared in special anti-pest glue thickly laid across the roof.

Its beak was completely fastened together, and feathers plastered.

A neighbour climbed a ladder to fetch the distressed creature, which was taken to a local vet.

It is now being tended by Southampton woman Mrs. Gertraud Gierlinger, although she is uncertain whether it will survive. She has had to remove many of the feathers, and it is still unable to fly.

"It was in an absolutely terrible state when it was found. It was a complete mess,'' she told The Royal Gazette .

"It looks better now than it did before, although I'm not sure whether it will live.'' She added: "I think what happened to it was utterly barbaric. It was literally trapped to the roof.

"I was furious, because there is no excuse for this. It's cruelty in the extreme.'' Mrs. Gierlinger, who is well known locally as a bird lover, contacted Dr.

Wingate.

Yesterday Dr. Wingate said he was going to recommend the Environment Ministry investigate pest control chemicals sold by companies.

"I would like to know whether the use of chemicals is considered cruel and unnecessary overkill, or just practical measures.'' Dr. Wingate said Government had powers to regulate pesticides and chemicals.

"A lot of times problems result from people wanting absolute control over nature.

"My concern is not directed at pest control companies. They are only responding to a market.'' Dr. Wingate said he had heard reports of another virulent chemical being used to control birds.

"It affects birds in the most irritating and agonising way, causing great pain.

"Birds are supposed to be frightened away by the sight of one bird affected by it.'' Dr. Wingate said he understood some of the problems caused by birds, such as pigeons.

Worries have arisen over the danger of Salmonella poisoning by contamination of roof water. And there has also been concern about fire hazards caused by nests.

But Dr. Wingate stressed: "The majority of birds are not a health hazard.'' He added he preferred "exclusion'' of birds, rather than slaughtering them.

This meant sealing roof holes, and erecting wire screening around the eaves, without affecting ventilation.

"People should be aware of what problems can be caused by chemicals,'' added Dr. Wingate.

"They should weigh very carefully just how far they are prepared to go in terms of the suffering caused to birds.'' Environment Minister the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto was yesterday off the Island and unavailable for comment.

A spokesman for the ministry, however, said all pesticides were licensed by the Health Department and the Department of Agriculture and Parks.

He added banning chemicals could be likened to banning motor vehicles because they killed people.

GLUE VICTIM -- This bluebird was found close to death after becoming ensnared in anti-pest glue on a roof in the west end.