The city has performed its first solo crow hazing effort with positive results, addressing between 3,000 and 4,000 crows who had returned following the initial hazing in early January.
“It seemed to be pretty effective,” said Jerry DelFavero, superintendent of public works. “I don't expect having to do it any more than one more time.”
In early January, biologists with the state USDA Wildlife Services program teamed with eight city employees for an initial weeklong crow dispersal treatment in which the workers received training in the techniques. Last year, the USDA was fully responsible for the hazing, but the city worked out a partnership this year with the USDA to include city employees in the hazing efforts as a way to save money. Auburn is the first city in the state to partner with the USDA for crow hazing.
DelFavero said a solo effort conducted last week went well.
“They were starting to come back into Seward Park and near the Seward House,” he said. “It definitely scared them away.”
Four public works employees went out in two trucks to do the follow-up hazing on Feb. 1, 2 and 3, he said. The city purchased its own hazing equipment for the efforts, which includes pyrotechnics, lasers and crow distress calls.
While the city is in charge of keeping up with hazing following the initial treatment in January, the USDA planned to continue to return to perform survey counts. A survey done immediately following the initial treatment revealed about 570 crows in the city.
On Jan. 25, the USDA did another survey that revealed between 3,000 and 4,000 crows, though the roost had relocated, said Alan Gosser, of the wildlife services program. He said no crows were found in the original roosting area along the Owasco Outlet.
The birds were discovered in an area stretching from South Street near the Seward House, past Woodlawn Avenue near Fort Hill Cemetery and behind the Cayuga County office building to Jefferson Street.
DelFavero said residents occasionally call with complaints about crows returning, which he said should be expected since the city is not getting rid of the crows entirely but only dispersing them elsewhere.
“We expect the birds to come back,” he said.
He estimated city employees would have to perform only one follow-up treatment this year.
“We don't want to do it too much, too often,” he said. “They're going to be out of here by the end of March anyway.”
Staff writer Anne Gleason can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at anne.gleason@lee.net
In early January, biologists with the state USDA Wildlife Services program teamed with eight city employees for an initial weeklong crow dispersal treatment in which the workers received training in the techniques. Last year, the USDA was fully responsible for the hazing, but the city worked out a partnership this year with the USDA to include city employees in the hazing efforts as a way to save money. Auburn is the first city in the state to partner with the USDA for crow hazing.
DelFavero said a solo effort conducted last week went well.
“They were starting to come back into Seward Park and near the Seward House,” he said. “It definitely scared them away.”
Four public works employees went out in two trucks to do the follow-up hazing on Feb. 1, 2 and 3, he said. The city purchased its own hazing equipment for the efforts, which includes pyrotechnics, lasers and crow distress calls.
While the city is in charge of keeping up with hazing following the initial treatment in January, the USDA planned to continue to return to perform survey counts. A survey done immediately following the initial treatment revealed about 570 crows in the city.
On Jan. 25, the USDA did another survey that revealed between 3,000 and 4,000 crows, though the roost had relocated, said Alan Gosser, of the wildlife services program. He said no crows were found in the original roosting area along the Owasco Outlet.
The birds were discovered in an area stretching from South Street near the Seward House, past Woodlawn Avenue near Fort Hill Cemetery and behind the Cayuga County office building to Jefferson Street.
DelFavero said residents occasionally call with complaints about crows returning, which he said should be expected since the city is not getting rid of the crows entirely but only dispersing them elsewhere.
“We expect the birds to come back,” he said.
He estimated city employees would have to perform only one follow-up treatment this year.
“We don't want to do it too much, too often,” he said. “They're going to be out of here by the end of March anyway.”
Staff writer Anne Gleason can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at anne.gleason@lee.net
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.