Vulture sightings have been reported in and around the Bellefontaine city limits — the first signs of the annual return of the nuisance birds.
However, city council members learned Tuesday, Feb. 27, in a regular meeting of a new plan to try and disperse the annoying scavengers.
The city will not use propane cannons this year to try and get rid of the black vultures, Mayor Dave Chrissman reported during the regular city council meeting.
Instead, the mayor told council that a “more directed” approach will be taken to scaring off the birds, including shooting off what the mayor compared to “firecrackers” up into specific trees where vultures are nesting.
The first signs of the vultures have been reported around the Whispering Pines area, as well as in portions of the southwest corner of the city, council members were told.
For years, city officials deployed the loud, booming propane cannons to try and scare off the vultures during their annual migratory stop in and around Bellefontaine.
This new strategy has been developed in collaboration with the Ohio Division of Natural Resources, the United States Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
As part of their migratory pattern, black vultures have made Bellefontaine a layover destination, a tradition that continues as they return to Ohio in the spring. While these avian visitors contribute positively to the ecosystem, their presence in local areas has become a cause for concern.
Residents have reported instances of property damage caused by the birds, including roosting on houses, vehicles, and other structures. Additionally, the accumulation of vulture feces and vomit has led to unsanitary conditions and unpleasant odors in residential neighborhoods.
City officials will continue to coordinate with state and federal agencies to address the challenges posed by black vultures in residential neighborhoods. It’s important for residents to understand that black vultures are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and discharging any weapon within city limits is illegal.