Tools

Utica Also Facing Crow Problems

Story Published: Nov 16, 2012 at 10:48 AM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 16, 2012 at 10:57 AM EDT

The city of Utica is going high tech to try to solve its crow problem.
 
The Utica Observer-Dispatch reports the city is spending $3,000 to buy a portable device called a Bird Blazer that uses a constantly changing pattern of multi-colored lasers to scare off the birds without hurting them.
 
It's said to be effective over a 10,000-square-foot area.
 
Roosting crows have been a noisy, messy nuisance in upstate cities, where officials have resorted to small explosives and other measures to roust them.

In Watertown, the city council recently voted to pay Loomacres Wildlife Management  up to $7,800 to handle the crow problem there.

The contract allows Loomacres to use lethal methods to get rid of the crows, in addition to using lasers and noises to scare the birds. 
 
A spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Conservation says crows like cities in winter because a "heat bubble" makes them 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the surrounding countryside and it's easier to avoid predators.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
, Watertown, NY

On Demand

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

What's On TonightFull Schedule

On Wall Street