Rochester, N.Y. — Washington Square Park will be an active site this week. Wildlife biologists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will use spotlights and pyrotechnics to disperse tens of thousands of crows from the park.
“This is the correct protocol for dispersing them because it does not endanger the crows or other birds,” said June Summers, President of the Genesee Valley Audubon Society.
Approximately 40,000 crows gather in Washington Square Park during their winter roost, according to Summers. The birds leave droppings that cover the area.
In February, the city put forth efforts to disperse crows from downtown areas. New legislation was approved by City Council this month. The follow-up program will cost $21,000. The program will start and conclude Wednesday. Follow-up work will take place every other week, according to a city news release.
