CONTACT: Nancy Gregg Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, September 20, 2005

ADDITIONAL BIRD SCARE AREAS ANNOUNCED

Frederick, Md. --- Please be advised that the City of Frederick will be conducting two additional bird scares using a small pyrotechnics. The first will take place on College Avenue, near the intersection of Rosemont Avenue and Rockwell Terrace, beginning on Thursday, September 22nd through Saturday, September 24th. The second bird scare will take place in the 0 - 100 block of S. Market Street from Monday, September 26th through Wednesday, September 28th.
This task will take place each night at dusk. The device will be discharged near trees where the birds are known to be problematic. This is a noise device that does not harm the birds. For at least the last 50 years, the City of Frederick has faced flocking bird issues that are problematic throughout the City. The offending birds are Starlings and or Crows. The City can and has offered a temporary form of relief for many years through the use of pyrotechnics, audio bird distress tapes and minimization/alteration of suitable environment where possible. The City responds to citizen requests if the offending birds are in the Right of Way in City trees, not private property. The most effective time for control is around dusk when these gregarious birds are looking for a roost for the night. These problems begin mid to late summer and go on well into the winter. This technique is approved by the Humane Society and has proven to be effective for short terms. This program was developed in cooperation with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Division.