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.
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.
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