Vulture Repellent?...I am Not Certain - Update

Update: Saturday, February 5, 2022

Last night, a little after dusk, I went and shined my LED flashlight up into the same group of trees as before and about 30 to 40 vultures took flight.

I don't know if timing has anything to do with this, but I am not making a hobby of this and going out at all times of night.

I do know that I went out two nights after the first success - I noticed nothing. So, perhaps this kept these adorable little (yeah, right) creatures away for awhile. 

Oh, you can find these great LED flashlights at Costco https://www.costco.com/duracell-durabeam-ultra-led-flashlight%2c-550-lumens%2c-3-count.product.100750833.html and I believe they are now on sale for $19.99 for a three-pack if bought in store. Check the recent ad.

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Many of you who live in Forest Acres are probably aware of vultures which have been quite prevalent in the area, at least over the last few years - particularly noticeable at Trenholm Park.

I have seen them in mass while we are having our Moose Tennis outings at Trenholm Park. I have seen vultures on every baseball field and tennis court lighting fixture while many others have taken perch on the roof of the gym. Alfred Hitchcock would have been pleased and desiring of some film footage. 

One member of the Moose herd was well-wished with a gift one of these beautifully winged but hideous headed bombers delivered upon his person. They, those people, say it's good luck to be pooped on by a bird. The recipient did not find this so honorable or gifting. 

I understand or assume Forest Acres was taking some actions to repel the population of vultures in the area by using some sound-making device to send them elsewhere.

The following was my test at what may send these scavengers elsewhere:

I had noticed for the last few weeks, around sunset, that many, many (40 to 50) of these vultures were taking perch in the tall, very mature, trees of a friend and her neighbor's property. I have observed them fly in and light on most of the upper branches, causing a ruckus as they jockey for branches - small twigs and pine cones falling all about.

And then, last night, while taking a break from watching the killer AFC and NFC championship games, I walked out back to notice the same, once again. I don't know if the effort by Forest Acre was effective or took hold, but I do know I saw nary a vulture earlier while playing tennis at Trenholm Park.

Yet, the vultures came swarming and set up camp in the crowns of these massive trees.

I wondered, if I were to cause some vibration upward through the trunks of these trees, if there would be any effect. So, I grabbed a rather weighty sledge hammer and headed over to the closest tree. As it was almost completely dark I thought it would be best if I had some light to see what I was doing. 

Here's the interesting part: I turned on my cell phone's flashlight and laid it (light upward) in some monkey grass along the base of the tree. Before I could take a swing with the sledge hammer, I heard this thunder of thrusting wings and found small branches falling around me. I looked up and observed many large silhouettes against the twilight sky; flying away.

I later grabbed an old incandescent flashlight and shined it up toward the canopy of these trees - nothing. A few minutes later, I used the cell phone flashlight (which I believe is LED) and walked toward the neighbor's property line. Another 20 or so vultures flew off.

Could a small LED flashlight be the answer to repelling vultures? Who knows, but if they come back, I have several LED flashlights I want to try on them.

Personally, I have no problem with vultures. I have yet to spend much time with any. Perhaps, sometime. I hear they are docile and quite social.

Learn more at https://pethelpful.com/cats/Will-a-Turkey-Vulture-Take-My-Small-Cat-or-Dog-Thats-Out-in-Our-Yard.