Norwich looks at falconer to solve crow problem
NORWICH – Last fall, crows flocked to Norwich, invading the trees, parks and streets of the city. This year, the city is taking a proactive approach to solve the problem, before the crows return.
On Friday, Lorrie Schumacher, a Master Class Falconer from Madison County, traveled around Norwich with one of her birds in order to keep the crows from roosting in Norwich.
“The crows are here because of the garbage,” Schumacher said. “If there wasn’t garbage here, they wouldn’t be here.”
According to Schumacher, who performs programs for schools, organizations and conservation centers, crows send out scouts in the early fall. Those birds travel and check out different locations for the flock of crows. On Friday, Schumacher and her Gyr Falcon began their trip through Norwich by climbing to the roof of Frontier. The falcon, Mocha Latte, flew around the building and over others to the east of Broad Street, to scare the scouting crows away from the area.
The falconer explained that in order to keep the crows from the area, she would have to come at different times of day and vary her routine, since coming at the same time every week, wouldn’t be effective. “You can’t do the same thing. Crows can count. That’s how they can beat the garbage man to the garbage by an hour each week,” Schumacher said.
First Ward Alderman John Deierlein said the city chose to use a falconer as a natural solution to the problem. Schumacher explained that there are some falcons who are indigenous to Central New York, however the use of DDT and other pesticides significantly reduced their numbers. The falconer works hand in hand with environmental organizations and animal rights groups. “This is the humane way of solving the problem,” Deierlein said.
Although there are few crows in the area now, scaring the scout birds away should prevent the mass of birds that invaded the area last year. When large number of birds are present, the falcons used to scare them away could possibly be attacked or killed by a group of crows.
After finishing up at Frontier, Schumacher and her falcon traveled to the Norwich High School and some other places around Norwich. Schumacher will continue making regular visits to Norwich.
On Friday, Lorrie Schumacher, a Master Class Falconer from Madison County, traveled around Norwich with one of her birds in order to keep the crows from roosting in Norwich.
“The crows are here because of the garbage,” Schumacher said. “If there wasn’t garbage here, they wouldn’t be here.”
According to Schumacher, who performs programs for schools, organizations and conservation centers, crows send out scouts in the early fall. Those birds travel and check out different locations for the flock of crows. On Friday, Schumacher and her Gyr Falcon began their trip through Norwich by climbing to the roof of Frontier. The falcon, Mocha Latte, flew around the building and over others to the east of Broad Street, to scare the scouting crows away from the area.
The falconer explained that in order to keep the crows from the area, she would have to come at different times of day and vary her routine, since coming at the same time every week, wouldn’t be effective. “You can’t do the same thing. Crows can count. That’s how they can beat the garbage man to the garbage by an hour each week,” Schumacher said.
First Ward Alderman John Deierlein said the city chose to use a falconer as a natural solution to the problem. Schumacher explained that there are some falcons who are indigenous to Central New York, however the use of DDT and other pesticides significantly reduced their numbers. The falconer works hand in hand with environmental organizations and animal rights groups. “This is the humane way of solving the problem,” Deierlein said.
Although there are few crows in the area now, scaring the scout birds away should prevent the mass of birds that invaded the area last year. When large number of birds are present, the falcons used to scare them away could possibly be attacked or killed by a group of crows.
After finishing up at Frontier, Schumacher and her falcon traveled to the Norwich High School and some other places around Norwich. Schumacher will continue making regular visits to Norwich.
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