Raptors Prey on Neighbors' Nerves

The population of black and turkey vultures in Maryland, Virginia and the District has more than doubled over the past two decades -- from 7,332 to 14,955, according to one count by the Audubon Society.

Their expansion is being driven by urban sprawl, which destroys their natural habitat and creates increasing amounts of dead animals for them to savor.

"The more roads we build, the more roadkill there is," said Tom Scollins, a wildlife removal specialist who is a consultant to the Gables subdivision. "That means the development benefits the vultures."

A pack of vultures descended last spring on an unsuspecting neighborhood in Southern Maryland, and another is flourishing this winter in the trees around Stonegate Elementary School in Silver Spring. But Eric Wilson, the school's principal, said there are no plans to try and get rid of the birds because they haven't been a nuisance.

"They'll just be our neighbors," he said. "They look foreboding, but nobody seems to mind them."

On Carriage House Lane yesterday afternoon, about 14 vultures stooped on Ted Hart's roof, which has been rendered into something like a Jackson Pollock painting by the bird droppings. When they strut, it sounds like someone is clomping and scratching his roof.

One neighbor initially suggested shooting the birds, but Hart said that option has been ruled out. For starters, permits are needed to euthanize the animals. But more importantly, he said, Columbia residents would never condone that violence.

"Nobody wants anything done to harm the birds," he said.

The subdivision's management company will present options for dealing with the raptors at a meeting Tuesday. They could, for example, use silver balloons and streamers and a dead vulture decoy to scare the birds away. But Lee said there is no reason to banish the graceful creatures.

"Before everyone gets into a major tizzy over the bird 'problem,' and starts blasting birds off the roof, may I suggest that you all take a deep breath and relax. What harm are they doing?" Lee wrote in an e-mail to the board. "Get a grip, put away your shotguns, and worry about more important things."