Rochester city officials implement strategic wildlife management techniques, using pyrotechnics, lasers, and distress calls to disperse the massive roost and reduce urban disruption

Rochester, New York – City officials and wildlife biologists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services Program are gearing up for another round of efforts to disperse a massive winter roost of crows. With an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 birds settling into the Downtown area, the city is once again taking strategic action to break up the congregation and prevent the associated mess and damage.

Equipped with pyrotechnics, spotlights, lasers, and recorded distress calls, wildlife biologists will attempt to disrupt the birds’ established patterns without causing them harm. These methods, which have been used in previous efforts, are designed to scatter the crows into smaller groups, encouraging them to relocate to less concentrated areas.

The process will begin at dusk on Thursday, March 6, and continue through the night as teams work to keep the birds from re-establishing their roost.

For city officials, the presence of tens of thousands of crows is more than just a nuisance—it’s an issue of cleanliness and urban maintenance. The birds leave behind large amounts of droppings, create noise disturbances, and can contribute to property damage. By dispersing the roost, officials aim to minimize these problems and improve the environment for businesses, residents, and visitors in the Downtown area.

The efforts are expected to be noisy, and city representatives are urging residents to be patient with any temporary disruptions. The sounds of distress calls, combined with flashing lights and other deterrent methods, may startle some residents, but officials assure the public that these disturbances are necessary to shift the birds away from heavily populated areas.

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As part of the initiative, residents are being asked to assist by reporting large gatherings of crows. By calling 311 (or 428-5990 outside city limits), the public can help wildlife biologists pinpoint the most problematic areas and apply targeted dispersal techniques.

This is not the first time Rochester has taken steps to manage its growing crow population, and it likely won’t be the last. Large roosts tend to return year after year, requiring ongoing efforts to prevent them from settling in urban spaces. While this project won’t eliminate the birds entirely, it is expected to significantly reduce the impact of their presence, keeping the city cleaner and more comfortable for everyone.

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As the evening unfolds, the skies above Rochester will come alive with flashing lights and echoing calls, a carefully orchestrated effort to reclaim the Downtown area from its feathered inhabitants. The work will continue for as long as necessary to ensure the crows don’t return in overwhelming numbers, marking another chapter in the city’s ongoing battle to balance wildlife management with urban life.