OCEAN CITY – Ocean City has contracted East Coast Falcons in an effort to scare away the seagulls which have become dependent on an unnatural supply of food stolen from people on the boardwalk and beach.
According to a release, falcons, hawks, and owls will fly over Ocean City from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily to move the gulls away from those areas without harming them.
This abatement program is believed to be the first of its kind for any shore town on the East Coast.
When East Coast Falcon’s professionals fly the raptors overhead, gulls know instinctively to leave an unsafe place. Professional falconry-based bird abatement is a humane, effective solution for removing nuisance birds.
The contractor is licensed to conduct the work, and the effort is approved by the Humane Society of Ocean City, which oversees animal control for the town.
Over time, the seagulls in Ocean City have become increasingly aggressive in their quest for boardwalk food and beach picnics.
For the health and safety of birds and humans, the city must take action to return them to their natural diet and habitat.
The program will continue through August, and, if successful, return in summer 2020.
