Batavia, NY residents dismayed by invasion of gulls

[Kris G.]

Batavia residents dismayed by invasion of gulls
Dave McKinley • WGRZ-TV • July 15, 2010

There's a problem that has folks in Batavia squawking.
It's an invasion of offensive birds in the heart of the city's downtown business district.
They are gulls, which begin arriving in May and which — unlike the swallows of San Juan Capistrano — are not a welcome sight.
Flocks numbering several hundred birds have taken to the abandoned Latina Food Market at the corner of Jackson and Ellicott Streets in what we're told are increasing numbers.
The building's flat roof, with sheltered areas and pools of water from rain storms seems to provide the gulls an ideal nesting ground safe from predators.
The gulls have become increasingly troublesome for nearby merchants like Ken Mistler, who owns three businesses including a restaurant he opened just this week.
"Well, the noise is OK and we don't mind it because it kind of sounds like we're at the beach," said Mistler, referring to the constant screech of the birds, which can be heard from a block away.
"But it's the feces, the bird droppings on all the cars, ... I haven't seen any umbrellas yet but I've seen a few people running," Mistler told WGRZ-TV.
In addition, a classic car show that had been an annual event in the large parking lot adjacent to the building has been scuttled, because owners of the cars are unwilling to display them with the threat of what a barista working in a nearby coffee shop described as "presents from above."
Some have also expressed concern over the potential spread of disease from dead birds, which are routinely removed from the parking lot on a daily basis.
Genesee County Health Director Randolph Garney did not return a phone call seeking his comments.
Most offensive to passers by though, may the pungent smell created by the birds and their droppings which wafts through the area.
"It's a pretty foul odor," remarked Mistler, with apparently no pun intended.
"When it gets humid out, it's pretty rancid down here," he said.
Having previously cited the building for property code violations, the city recently took the additional step of condemning it to force its Buffalo-based owner, Tom Lewin of LKLWL Properties, into court.
"I'd just like to see the guy who owns the building step to the plate and take care of his building," said Mistler.
Besides confirming that the city also wishes to have a resolution to the problem, Batavia City Manager Jason Molino declined further comment because the case is now in court.
Lewin, who has a date before a Batavia City Court judge regarding his property later this month, could not be reached for comment.

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