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| WORKERS INSTALL BIRD ABATEMENT MEASURES TODAY OUTSIDE ROUND TABLE PIZZA. |
The hundreds of birds frequenting Natomas-area shopping centers has at least one property manager fighting back.
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| PHOTO BY SCOTT DOSICK |
Late last week and again today, workers from All Maintenance Inc. were at the Park Place Shopping Center on Natomas Boulevard putting nets over trees in the parking lot to prevent the birds – many of which are swallows – from roosting there overnight. Workers also power washed the ground underneath the trees to rid the area of bird droppings.
Birds also frequent the Natomas Marketplace Shopping Center on Truxel Road.
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| PHOTO BY NANCY KONG-VASQUEZ |
Area residents – and some media outlets – have marveled over the number of birds, but experts say there may not be any more than normal. Wildlife biologist Kevin Brennan said there is generally not a lot of variation from year to year and without collecting bird counts, there is no evidence of higher-than-normal numbers.
After seeing the photo above NATOMAS BUZZ reader Lindsy V. said, “I have lived in Natomas since 2002 and I have never seen them like this. It is crazy how many birds and how much poop.”
More than likely, said Brennan, the birds are migrants returning home.
“As the weather warms up, we should see a lot of migrants coming in and holding in California,” said Brennan. “They do it around storm fronts. When it warms up, some more may fly north.”
Recent rain in the area could contribute to the birds’ activity as well.
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| TODAY IN THE PARKING LOT. |
Said Brennan, “The more moisture we have in this state, the better wildlife response.” Meaning the wetter it is, the more insects there are for the birds to feed on and the more active they become.
As for the tree nets at the Park Place Shopping Center, animal control spokesperson Penny Cistaro said permits for bird abatement are not required. The city, she said, will not get involved unless it receives a cruelty complaint and an animal’s welfare is at risk.
“We cannot allow a bird to be trapped in there,” Cistaro said of the netting.
Mike Wilson, property manager at Donahue Shriber which owns the Park Place shopping center, was not available for comment. Meanwhile, the birds could be seen flocking and roosting in the palm trees adjacent to the shopping center.
“They are certainly a busy bunch,” reader Carolyn Roberts posted on the NATOMAS BUZZ’s page on Facebook.
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