NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After a four-year break, the starlings are back
at Vanderbilt, but this time the bird-droppings problem, which can
create health hazards, is limited to three areas on campus. Instead of
a campus-wide war, a reconnaissance mission to remove the starlings
from the problem areas, complete with noise-making devices, will begin
Feb. 11 and continue through Feb. 15.
“The problem this year is limited to three locations where the bird
droppings are higher than normal: the stadium north end zone area near
Parmer Field House and along the sidewalks of Garland Avenue and
Highland Avenue,” said Lis Wyatt, director of general services. “This
is nowhere near the problem we had in 2001, the last time we had to use
such dispersal techniques,” she added.
The noise war will start during the evening from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on
Feb. 11 and continue in the early morning from 6 to 6:30 a.m. for the
four-day period. “We use a variety of noise-making devices to disrupt
their roosting patterns for a few days,” said Wyatt. “The birds usually
leave their roosts around 6 a.m. and come back around 4:30 to 6
p.m. We will use everything from firecrackers to a recording of
birds in distress to get the starlings to leave their nests during
those critical times.”
The loudest noises will come in the late afternoon when propane
percussion cannons — no projectiles — and firecrackers will be used,
said Wyatt. In the morning, the recording of birds in distress will be
played to rouse the birds from their nests. Lights and low intensity
laser beams will also be used.
“We are using humane dispersal techniques that are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” Wyatt said.
Vanderbilt is an attractive oasis for the starlings because the
campus has a large number of magnolia trees, complete with berries and
leaves throughout winter, which create perfect roosting locations, said
Wyatt. The noise war was first used about 10 years ago when the
campus was under siege by more than a half-million birds. “We don‘t
have nearly as many birds now because we‘ve learned to stop the problem
before it gets out of hand,” she added.
The bird droppings can create a health hazard if people inhale
spores of a fungus found in the droppings. Effects can range from mild,
flu-like symptoms to severe lung disease.
Media contact: Emily Pearce, (615) 322-NEWS
Emily.pearce@vanderbilt.edu