Vultures on Eastbourne Lane

As you may know, there is a serious problem with vultures on Eastbourne Lane and surrounding streets. These birds moved into that area over a year ago and have become a serious nuisance to homeowners through their aggressive behavior and the accumulation of their reeking and corrosive feces and regurgitations.

The Montpelier Community Association Board of Trustees and the Architectural Control and Compliance Committee (ACCC) have taken action to ensure that any homeowner activity that might encourage the birds to stay in the area has ceased. At the last regular monthly meeting of the ACCC on Thursday, February 3^rd, assurances were given that nobody was actively feeding the vultures or leaving their garbage out in plastic bags or trash receptacles that can be broken into by the birds in their search for food. If anybody has any knowledge that this is not the case, they should contact a member of the Board or the ACCC as soon as possible with photographic evidence so that legal action can be taken.

Despite these actions to halt all activities that might encourage these birds to stay in the area, there is little indication that they are moving away. Indeed, this type of invasion of a residential neighborhood by both turkey vultures and black vultures is becoming increasingly common as their population increases.

The Wildlife Services (WS) of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been investigating this problem for many years. According to their on-line Factsheet on Vulture Damage Management (November 2010),

Vultures are migratory birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, State laws, and regulations. … The birds, their nests, and eggs cannot be killed or destroyed without a Migratory Bird Depredation Permit.

The Factsheet also indicates that,

WS provides advice and direct management to help people resolve vulture conflicts. Vulture management is complicated and site-specific, so consultation with wildlife professionals is vital to successfully resolving damage situations.

Thus, while several active techniques have been suggested to persuade the vultures to leave, it is best if professional advice be sought on the most effective legal action that can be taken by homeowners. Wildlife Services is headquartered in Washington, DC, with Operational Support Staff in Riverdale, MD.Homeowners concerned about the vultures are encouraged to contact Wildlife Services at the addresses and phone numbers listed at right.