City of Rochester
News Release
(Friday, Dec. 12, 2014) – The City, in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program, will commence its 4th annual wildlife damage management program on Monday to disperse a winter roost of 20,000 to 30,000 crows.
This partnership with the USDA is now in its fourth year and has brought tremendous value to the city, resulting in a significant reduction of the mess and damage associated with large congregations of crows.
USDA wildlife biologists will move the roost with the use of pyrotechnics, spotlights, lasers and amplified electronic recordings of crow distress calls. These harassment methods will not harm the birds.
Once the methods are in progress, the crows will disperse into smaller groups that will spread out over a broader area, reducing the crows’ impact. Bi-weekly follow-ups will be conducted to keep the birds from re-establishing a large roost in the city.
Management efforts will begin at Downtown’s Washington Square Park on Monday, Dec. 15 around 5 p.m. and continues through the night. The initial phase will conclude on Wednesday, Dec., 17 at approximately 7:30 p.m.
City and Wildlife Services’ representatives recognize the management project techniques may be disruptive and respectfully request public cooperation as crews work throughout the city. Residents are asked to assist the effort by calling 311 (428-5990 outside city limits) to report the locations of large groups of crows.
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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.