OCEAN CITY – The birds will return.
Ocean City Council approved a $193,600 contract with Wildlife Control Specialists, LLC, of Lebanon April 9, for the use of falcons and other birds of prey to drive seagulls from the beach and boardwalk.
The city launched the program in the summer of 2019, drawing national interest and positive reviews. Officials said the seagulls had become too aggressive, attacking people for french fries and pizza.
The hawks, falcons and an owl used by the service last year kept the gulls from congregating along the boardwalk.
According to the resolution, there were three options for pricing, either $200 an hour, $1,600 a day or a lump sum for the season. There were two other bidders for the service, East Coast Falcons, which had the contract in 2019, and Foster Falconry of Cossayuna, N.Y. Each had proposals over $200,000.
