In Bayonne: Birds On Bridges, Overpasses Causing Public Health Risks While Concern About Bird Removal Among Residents: Biz Admin Responds
Editor’s note: We’ve reached out to the City of Bayonne as well as PETA to learn more about the issue and find out what some possible solutions are. We will update the article once more details are received.
PETA has stated the following regarding bird netting in general, particularly its tendency to not be regularly maintained and to fall into disrepair:
Reportedly, birds have become trapped behind the netting on multiple occasions. While the desire for nonlethal bird control is admirable, reports of such netting being installed incorrectly or falling into disrepair and causing birds to become fatally trapped are all too common. On Friday, we received a report of a trapped pigeon and contacted the company, urging them to swiftly rectify the situation, but we’ve received no response. Thankfully, the most recent victim was rescued by a brave individual who jumped into action, but the netting remains the same, leaving countless others at risk. We’re told past victims have not been so lucky, and deceased birds have been observed hanging in the net on multiple occasions.
We asked PETA the following questions regarding this issue from the perspective of doing what is best for the animals:
1: Can you please tell us about your involvement in this project?
PETA became involved after receiving a complaint on September 2nd regarding the netting and wrote the city, informing officials about the dangers of bird netting. Officials responded with assurances that trapped birds were being removed but did not address the suggested alternative.
2: Do you have the town’s original release about the plan with the mesh or PETA’s response about the PVC mesh?
No, since city officials did not engage in a brainstorming dialogue with us, and we weren’t made aware of the situation until September, we did not know that the previous city council approved the stainless mesh option until we read your article.
3: Also do you have more details about how the aforementioned product that is the suggested alternative is different and why it’s better than what they used?
Steel mesh forms a sturdy, physical barrier made of welded wire that, if installed correctly, effectively prevents birds from entering a space. Netting is flimsy, made with soft polyethylene or polypropylene fiber, and in our experience, almost always falls into disrepair quickly and repeatedly, allowing birds to access the space, where they are then unable to find their way out. While steel mesh carries a higher upfront cost, its durability and effectiveness far outweigh those of netting, resulting in lower maintenance fees and reduced harm to wildlife. As long as netting is in use, a contractor must return repeatedly to repair tears, close gaps, and free trapped birds. If this isn’t done in a timely manner, birds may nest in the space and their fledgling young fall into the net when leaving the nest and become trapped.
4: Is it simple to change course now and pull out the netting and replace with the mesh?
The contractor can easily remove the netting, which can then be replaced with sturdy mesh.
5: And how do they ensure that all birds have left, or does this only protect the above-sidewalk areas and the birds can move to other parts of the bridge?
The mesh prevents birds from roosting in areas of concern and allows them to find alternative nesting sites, reducing perceived human-bird conflicts. There is no way to eliminate birds from any area, but properly installed steel mesh, along with other humane anti-roosting products such as bird spikes, slides, and coils, can discourage birds from settling in specific locations without harming them. Green lasers can also be used to encourage birds to move along. It’s also vital to eliminate artificial food sources by keeping streets clean, using hooded or swing-top trash receptacles, and enforcing a ban prohibiting feeding wildlife. Pigeons are simply trying to survive and raise their families, and they deserve the same respect and humane treatment as any other species.
STATEMENT FROM BAYONNE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR ANDREW CASAIS CONCERNING THE BIRD SITUATION AT 8TH STREET IN BAYONNE
In May 2026 the prior City Council adopted a Resolution awarding a contract to Ehrlich pest Control to install PVC-coated stainless-steel mesh under the bridges located nearest to the intersections of Broadway at 8th Street, and Linnet Street and Avenue E. This does not include light rail bridges. The total cost of the contract was $64,215 roughly divided between each bridge.
The purpose and intention of this netting is to mitigate the ongoing public health concerns involving the accumulation of bird feces under the bridges. This accumulation is caused by concentrated bird roosting over pedestrian walkways.
Prior to the institution of a netting solution, regular and ongoing cleaning efforts were conducted by the Department of Public Works. Unfortunately, such efforts were unsuccessful in providing a lasting solution that adequately addressed public health demands.
Over the summer months the netting was successfully installed at the Linnet Street and Avenue E location without incident. During the installation, any birds – largely, if not exclusively, pigeons – that were unable to be removed from bridge structure were trapped – using baited traps with food and water – and humanely released on a recurring basis until all birds were removed from the structure.
In recent weeks, work at the Broadway and 8th Street location commenced and was substantially completed on Friday, August 28th.
At the time of substantial completion, approximately 30 birds remained in the bridge structure at the Broadway and 8th Street location. The administration understands that this understandably garnered a great deal of attention and concern. Since learning about the issue, the administration has been working to determine how the matter could be addressed as quickly and safely as possible.
At the direction of administration, the City’s Department of Public works and the vendor have been actively engaged to remove the birds as expeditiously as possible. 48-hour checks transitioned to daily checks, with multiple releases being made.
As of the time of this statement, there are roughly 5 birds left in bridge structure. It is the City’s hope that the remaining birds will be trapped and released within the coming day. This is completely dependent on the behavior of the birds, as baited traps have been set.
It is imperative that the public not interfere with the protocol in place to ensure that all remaining birds are trapped and released – like the dozens that have been released since the onset of this concern. The administration understands the passionate sentiments around this topic. However, well-intentioned feeding of birds from the ground, or creating audible distractions will only cause further delays to the trapping and release of the remaining birds.
While the decision to conduct this work was not made by this administration, it fully understands its responsibility to address the situation as humanely as possible, learn from it, and improve on processes going forward.
Image Credit – Manifest Stefany
Banner Image: Pigeons in NYC. Image Credit – Mike Cox
City of Bayonne
Bayonne is a community that retains many of the elements of a small town. One and two family homes, small apartment buildings, and small business predominate. There is a population of 62,000 people who take pride in their hometown and its history. Bayonne residents and their ancestors moved to the city from many parts of the world. During colonial times and the first century of the American Republic, the Dutch, British, and Africans were the first groups to arrive after the Native Americans. Subsequent waves of immigrants came from all over Europe, especially between the 1880s and the 1920s. In recent decades, sources of immigration have largely been represented from countries in Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeastern Asia. Each group has left its mark on the cultural, religious and political life of the community.
For every perceived conflict with wildlife, there is a humane solution. Why shouldn’t we choose non-harmful methods?
Pigeons are intelligent, social animals who form strong bonds with their mates and care for their young. They’re simply trying to survive, just like any other animal. Public health concerns can and should be addressed without putting birds at risk of injury or death. Properly installed, durable barriers can prevent birds from roosting in certain areas without trapping them. These birds deserve compassion, not cruelty.
Those pigeons must have been terrified, pacing behind the netting while birds outside tried to reach them. I’m relieved that people spoke up and that the city says the remaining birds were removed, but they should never have been trapped in the first place.