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Vulture issue in Autumnwood Square

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by Tom Grant, Dec 13, 2017.

  1. Chris Cuellar

    Chris Cuellar New Member

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    The problem is also at Hillside Elementary. These photos taken Christmas morning and are typical of just about every morning. That sure looks like a health hazard to me: vultures on the playground equipment. Great for the kids.


    upload_2020-12-30_12-1-24.jpeg upload_2020-12-30_12-2-28.jpeg
     
    AutmwdResident likes this.
  2. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    I do believe that there is not too much Broadlands can do. Pretty sure (not 100%) that this type of vulture is federally protected under the Migratory Bird Act.
     
  3. JulyLady

    JulyLady New Member

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    The vultures like to hangout at Hillside Elem. and I refuse to use the track there because of them. On 30 Dec. there were about 15 vultures in the middle of Bankbarn Terrace - taking care of a dead squirrel. Yes they are protected - I've had the same response from the HOA for years. The vultures are bigger than small dogs, not a good selling point for prospective buyers of property either.
     
  4. Patrick S.

    Patrick S. New Member

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    I sent a letter to the President of the HOA asking for assistance (I also provided him a link to this forum) and plan on "attending" the meeting via Zoom to hopefully discuss the issue. From what I've read (https://www.outsideonline.com/1914466/how-tiny-southern-town-handles-turkey-vulture-invasion) and (https://www.worldbirds.org/how-to-get-rid-of-turkey-vultures/) both individual homeowners and the HOA have viable options worth exploring. I also sent an email to the Virginia Branch of the US Fish and Wildlife Service asking for more information on both what the law allows, and what assistance the Federal Government may provide.
     
  5. glockenspiel

    glockenspiel Member

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    Excellent article from the above post and the most insightful sentence reads:

    "Several homes in the area have been abandoned and put up for sale by homeowners who got sick of the birds, and now they’re sitting vacant because nobody wants to buy a house covered in turkey-vulture feces."

    Could this be the future for Autumnwood Square?
     
  6. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    Forget using an owl decoy or hanging CDs. A neighbor has both and I've seen a black vulture sitting on the head of the owl and black vultures playing with the CDs. They are toys.

    What deterrents have folks tried, if any? The spikes are working well for me.
     
    PDILLM likes this.
  7. glencastle

    glencastle The Paterfamilias

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    Some glamour shots...
    vultures-14.jpg vultures-13.jpg vultures-12.jpg
     
    glockenspiel likes this.
  8. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    Strangely, the majority of these vultures are babies - they have downy feathers on their heads, and at dusk they fly away somewhere and return in the morning.
     
  9. Kirstin Sipes

    Kirstin Sipes New Member

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    glockenspiel likes this.
  10. hewitt99

    hewitt99 New Member

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    Brought the kids to play on the playground at Hillside Elementary last week. The entire playground is covered in poop and hair balls. Might think LCPS would need to step in now as well. It’s bad.
     
  11. glockenspiel

    glockenspiel Member

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    Thanks for the excellent Audubon article. This paragraph toward the end wraps it up nicely:

    "Roads are coming. Trees are falling. Another chunk of Virginia vanishes. More asphalt. More landfills. More roadkill. More vultures. After all, we laid out the welcome mat."
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2021
  12. Excelsior

    Excelsior Southern Walk||IMPERIUM IN IMPERIO||

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    Has anyone contacted our Congressional Representative? If one of the major deterrents to doing anything about this is Federal Law, why not approach a Federal Representative? I wasn't at the meeting where this was discussed but I can imagine HOA options are fairly limited or controversial. - Removing trees where they roost. - Planting an effigy or more in surrounding trees. - Granting a blanket approval for spikes on the roof.

    Federal agencies need to help here.

    If Congressional representative useless not sure there is another good option other than everyone for themselves with minimal HOA assistance.
     
  13. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    So, we remove trees and take other measures... where do they go? Most likely relocate to a new place in Broadlands. Then those homeowners have the same problems.
     
  14. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    I think the HOA has been very clear that this is not an HOA matter. You can take measures to keep the vultures off of your roofs and should probably act before the damage requires costly repairs.
     
  15. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    "You can take measures to keep the vultures off of your roofs and should probably act before the damage requires costly repairs"

    The HOA Modifications Sub-Committee approves the spikes. ;)
     
  16. Kirstin Sipes

    Kirstin Sipes New Member

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    Does anyone have a recommended contractor to install the spikes?
     
  17. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    I had my roofer install mine but that may be costly. Try a home repair service.
     
  18. HGS

    HGS New Member

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    I have started using an air horn to deter them from venturing towards my row of townhouses. I can’t upload a video I just took today, but it worked this time. Supposedly they don’t like loud noises. Next on my list is to get a train horn.

    And I have a contact to install spikes. Expect to spend about $600.
     
  19. HGS

    HGS New Member

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    Pretty sure if school were open, something would be done immediately.
     
  20. Josh Chiprut

    Josh Chiprut New Member

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    On Harvest Green Terrace this morning these vultures were on every roof. The smell in the street was actually noticeable. Is the solution seriously to put spikes on my roof?
     

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