Wednesday, January 16, 2013

The place is lousy with birds

Several commenters mentioned the large number of vultures in the area shown above (from Park Avenue to Ridge Avenue, between 10th and 11th Streets).

I saw dozens of them swarming around the trees in this area at about 4:30 on Tuesday afternoon.

I estimated well over a hundred in the area shown on the map at the top of this post.
There are over 70 in this shot alone.

I wonder what's drawing them to this particular spot.  They seem to prefer roosting in large pine trees, which provide protection, but is there enough carrion in the area to sustain this many birds?  Yes, they fly to other nearby areas to find meals, but are there that many animals dying in town each day to supply these birds with enough food?  Apparently so.
Supposedly, they are some of the cleanest birds around, but you wouldn't know it from looking at them.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

thanks for the pics! i also counted like 72 falcons,hawks in the one pic...something should be done...this HAS to be a health and sanitation issue. a serious one at that.where's the code dept

Joe Lintner said...

This really is extreme.

Anonymous said...

Call the codes department? Really? Have we come to the point where we must rely on the government to solve all our problems? This is called nature. These are not rats being drawn to an unkempt property. I have found they occasionally rest in a tree in my backyard and it is not causing a health problem. If I did not want them in my tree, I would get off my butt and scare them away, time and time again, until they don't come back. I would NEVER think of calling the codes department or the police.

Anonymous said...

Last year they spent a few months hanging out in the big trees at the entrance to the Mount Bethel Cemetery. It was quite spooky.

Joe Lintner said...

I remember that. Got a few pics.

Anonymous said...

with all the bird droppings from 100 plus huge birds, it HAS to be a serious health and sanitation issue. so where do u go for help-the state???

Joe Lintner said...

Supposedly, turkey vultures are very clean birds, but large flocks look very "Addams Family."
Go here for more info:
http://vulturesociety.homestead.com/QandA.html

Anonymous said...

sorry, no matter "how clean" they are...they still do their bird droppings ALL OVER the place...and it HAS to be a serious health and sanitation issue. it's a shame the Boro doesn't care about these important things instead of the same ole, sale ole-like River Park, downtown, etc. Just WHAT are they doing to try to entice businesses downtown? Nothing.

Anonymous said...

during the afternoon you can see dozens of them still at Bethel Cemetary.....

Anonymous said...

like most "issues" in the Boro..this is a joke too. these birds have been a problem for at least 3 years. the Boro IS aware of it. It was discussed at council mtg. way back. but nothing has been done.