The ongoing Wimbledon championships are an exercise in logistics, and chipping in with caterers, bodyguards, masseurs and ballboys and girls, is a Harris Hawk. His job? To make sure pigeons don't distract the world's hardest hitting players

Rufus watches over Serena, Nadal

Dawn is breaking over Wimbledon, and there are five hours to go before the public is admitted for a day of tennis. But Rufus is already at Gate 5, his photo ID pass electronically checked, waiting to enter Centre Court for a hard morning of hunting.

Rufus and Davis are checked by security as they enter the venue; Rufus has his own photo ID pass

With Rufus, a two year-old Harris Hawk who has become somewhat of a celebrity, is his inseparable companion, Wayne Davis, 47. Their mission is to keep Wimbledon's famed grass courts in immaculate condition. That means no pigeons. Pigeon droppings, containing high levels of ammonia, can ruin the carefully mowed courts -- and the finances of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

The Club approached Davis from Avian Control Systems, to come along with his favourite bird of prey to scare away pigeons so that matches could be played without tennis stars being distracted by swooping birds. Rufus was 'hired' last year, and he is expected to report on duty early morning and hang around until just before the crowd settles into their seats.

Davis climbs high up on to the roof of Centre Court and dons a safety harness before releasing Rufus. The pigeons know better than to hang around (though occasionally the not-very-bright variety sustains a fatal nip in the neck). Rufus flies around inside the stadium for several hours, making sure no feathered fiends lurk under the rafters. Suddenly, he recognises the signal on his transmitter and returns to Davis. But the job is not done.

Next up is Callisto, the falcon, who soars 500 ft high above to ensure the skies are clear of "enemy aircraft".
Davis, who commutes daily to Wimbledon from his home in Northamptonshire, operates a consultancy with two staff members and half a dozen falcons and Harris Hawks. The birds don't demand much -- just a royal quail meat lunch.

The American military airfields, Westminster Abbey, several universities and hospitals are on Davis' client list. But during the all-important championship fortnight that attracts more than half a million spectators, he and Rufus report daily to carry out their "environment-friendly" method of pigeon control.

A decade ago, the pigeon nuisance saw hundreds of them descending on Centre Court, forcing players to swish their racquets at the intruders. Davis' wife contacted the Club, offering their unique services. Davis, who has been passionate about falconry since he was 11, took it up professionally 25 years ago. He and the birds share a bond. "They cluck at me and recognise me because we spend so much time together," he says.

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