Description
Pigeons are not just roosting, but increasingly NESTING on the north side of both northbound and southbound subway platforms DIRECTLY OVER the waiting area, although the problem is FAR worse on the northbound platform.
The pigeon spikes that were put up long ago are in disrepair, the pigeon wire that had been up has for some reason been removed completely, and 'repairs' over the last year involved putting up sturdy NETTING (!) and wooden boards DIRECTLY over the platform that have become enormous pigeon NESTS.
Not surprisingly, the platform is COVERED with feces and has been for MONTHS.
The area was already a problem because of open roosting areas under the overpass (across the tracks from the waiting areas), which have always needed pigeon spikes, but the situation with the nests now over the tracks is now completely out of control.
This is all totally gross, a health hazard, and a falling poop hazard, especially for passengers who are exiting trains.
After months of a worsening condition the MTA has been completely unresponsive other than a letter acknowledging receipt of a complaint months ago (the platforms obviously haven't even been cleaned in months).
Is there another avenue to getting some action taken, and soon?
(Photo below shows netting, now covered in feces, where pigeons are nesting over the northbound platform)
48 Comments
Michael (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
SeeClickFixer (Guest)
>>Not surprisingly, the platform is COVERED with feces and has been for MONTHS<<
It has actually been 8 years I know of...
>>Is there another avenue to getting some action taken, and soon?<<
One would think you can report this to the Dept of Environment/311 etc. (?) - if this was private residence it would have been fined pretty quickly. I see this all the time the MTA, the DOT et al, are exempt from prosecution, imo.
This station also has a leaking sewer pipe by the Newkirk bridge - disgraceful.
Our taxes at work indeed...
Brooklyn Community Board 14 (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
SeeClickFixer (Guest)
I'm taken aback. Haven't seen them so clean in 8-9 years.
Sad that cleaning has to be requested...!?
Brooklyn Community Board 14 (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Brooklyn Community Board 14 (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Brooklyn Community Board 14 (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Ah. I believe the Bird-B-Gone system B-Broken. The spikes and wires are falling apart, I'd be happy to post some more specific pics of this if it would be helpful. Might save somebody a trip...
To be clear though, even if the Bird-B-Gone system B-Fixed, which would B-Nice and a good start, and be a step towards resolving this issue, it wouldn't do anything about the wooden boards or nets directly over the platform that have become enormous pigeon nests. The Bird-B-Gone business was on the beams only...
And nothing was ever put on the roosting areas across from the platforms under the overpass, which although on the opposite side of the tracks form the waiting area, is a prized nesting area where Birds-B-Procreating.
Michael (Registered User)
Brooklyn Community Board 14 (Registered User)
Brooklyn Community Board 14 (Registered User)
The MTA reported that 100 feet of "pigeon deterrent" (a.k.a. metal spikes) was installed at Newkirk Plaza this week. Please post if you do not see improvements following this effort.
Thank you,
Brooklyn Community Board 14
Michael (Registered User)
Hey CB14, thanks for following up here and getting some steps taken!
So, yes, definitely some new pigeon spikes installed. However, this was not NEARLY enough to deal with the problem. As of this afternoon, still huge gaps where old spikes are falling off, still that giant pigeon nest in that netting directly over the platform, still pigeons roosting and pooping in multiple locations. I will post photos below.
To be dealt with, this problem requires far more effective steps to be taken.
Michael (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
SeeClickFixer (Guest)
Yes, the pigeons have already nested - deep in the spaces between the concrete wall edges and the underside of the bridge.
A good solution would be to cover the underside of the bridge, above the platforms, with (wire?) netting?
Secondly there seems to be a 'slow' sewage pipe leak on the north end of the Manhattan-bound platform - the smell is very strong on some days, and 'liquid' appears on the platform below causing a stain....
Brooklyn Community Board 14 (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
SeeClickFixer (Guest)
It appears one should contact the NYC Dept of Health & Mental Hygiene or call 311 (same thing)?
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/environmental/pigeons.shtml
Michael (Registered User)
I did call 311, over a year ago, I got a letter saying my complaint had been received, no further action was taken.
CB14, this situation remains the same. Is there anyone else we can contact? Thanks.
Jon Silverberg (Registered User)
Brooklyn Community Board 14 (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Brooklyn Community Board 14 (Registered User)
SeeClickFixer (Guest)
Yes, as Jon pointed out the roosting space is unfortunately the problem. At the top of the walls above the tracks where they are nesting need to be sealed with netting etc.
BECAUSE:
The pigeons are now flying lower (across the platforms) to go under what nets have been installed so far, at high speeds to avoid commuters and trains. It has the potential to create a bigger problem now.
Michael (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Hi CB14,
This project is still incomplete. On both platforms, pigeons have found their way into the netting that was supposed to keep them out. They are now living, breeding, and...dying in the netting. There are also still a few areas on the platforms where pigeon droppings are building up--places where spikes are falling apart or were never installed.
Photo: Netting with dead pigeon.
Michael (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Brooklyn Community Board 14 (Registered User)
Michael (Registered User)
Brooklyn Community Board 14 (Registered User)
"We investigated this complaint and found that on the north end of the station there were pigeon droppings on the platform and there were 2 dead pigeons up in the pigeon netting that was installed in the past. On the north end of the south bound side we observed a pigeon roosting inside of a drip pan. There was an area by the netting on the north bound side that had an opening in it to allow pigeons to access the area inside of the netting. On 5-12-2016 we will start to close up the opening by the netting as well as install additional pigeon deterrent. We do estimate that the amount of work at the location will take about a week to complete".
Brooklyn Community Board 14 (Registered User)
CB14 received the following update from the MTA:
MTA began working inside Newkirk Plaza MTA station to address pigeon-related concerns on Thurs. May 12th. Work includes removal of pigeon droppings and deceased birds, repair of holes in netting, eviction of live birds roosting in station, closure of all holes that allow birds to access area, installation of additional pigeon deterrent. Work is expected to take one week to complete.
Please continue to update CB14 if station clean-up and deterrent does not improve the situation. Thank you.
Michael (Registered User)