Rochester, N.Y. -- On any given brisk winter day, under a sun setting sky, if you're walking near Washington Square Park, chances are you're sent ducking for cover."It's very bad, very, very bad,” said one passerby ducking into mass at St. Mary’s.
"You can't leave the Geva Theater without running the peril of being pooped on,” said President of the Genesee Valley Audubon Society June Summers.
The American Crow has been spotted at Genesee Valley Park, Mt. Hope Cemetery but a place of particular interest, Washington Square Park.
“It gets really bad where the streets are just covered with bird doo,” said Elaine O’Neil, who says she’s somewhat annoyed by the birds.
The birds have left their mark on just about everything, from buildings to park benches, even tents occupied by the “Occupy” protesters.
“Their numbers have grown and they've been a problem for a number of years now,” said Summers.
Summers says the birds may be drawn to the area because it's one of the few places in the city with a large number of trees and the birds have adapted to the roofs of the nearby smaller buildings.
“This could be a very historical roost site for them,” Summers said.
History or not, some say it's time for the birds to fly on.
Mayor Tom Richards submitted a proposal to the city council recruiting the USDA to use distress calls, lasers and pyrotechnics for five nights to attempt to scare the birds off.
“This is a case where we need to move the wildlife to another area because we're not co existing well with them,” said Summers.
But Summers questions whether five nights of scare tactics by the USDA is enough to keep the birds away for good.
“An extended period of time, meaning for several months, not only for this year but several years to come,” Summers said.
Making it only a matter of time before they come back.
Under the proposed legislation, the USDA would return for up to an additional five nights as needed.
The city's agreement with the USDA will cost about $21,000 and would come from the Department of Environmental Services.
City council still needs to approve the use of those funds.
The city says this type of action has been successful in other cities such as Albany and Utica.
