Plant Operations will implement distress calls and other noisemakers in an effort to drive roosting birds from campus. As in previous years, humane methods of dispersal will be used to frighten the birds away without causing harm.
The dispersal efforts were scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Jan. 27, and continue daily for about two weeks. The noise will be heard from about 30 minutes before sunset to about 30 minutes after.
Over the past several weeks, an increasing buildup of crows has been observed in the trees along 21st Avenue South and West End Avenue, near Warren and Moore Colleges. The birds are attracted to Vanderbilt because of the large number of magnolia trees on campus. The trees keep their leaves and berries throughout the winter creating an inviting roosting area for starlings, blackbirds and crows.
The droppings created by these birds pose the threat of histoplasmosis, which can lead to serious respiratory infections.