Penn State to scare off migratory crows Friday | Centre Daily Times

Penn State will use a barrage of loud noises Friday night to scare off migratory crows that have settled in the South Halls area of campus, the university announced.

The noises, produced by pyrotechnic bangers and screamers, will start around 8:45 p.m. and continue for a few hours, said Paul Ruskin, a spokesman for the university’s Office of Physical Plant. The crows are roosting in trees along Shortlidge Road, and the university hopes the crows will flee to the north and east.

The university has used the noise-makers over the past few years as a safe way to rid the campus of the crows, whose roosting brings their droppings to splatter all over.

“The migratory crows visiting our campus have proven to be both smart and stubborn,” Ruskin said. “With the extreme cold and snow cover, they are not easily persuaded to leave campus as they have done in past years.”

Future crow relocation sessions will be determined based on where the crows are, he said.

Ruskin said that Penn State researchers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services will help Friday.

People can report bothersome crow activity and campus sanitation concerns by calling 863-9620 or emailing Ruskin at pdr2@psu.edu.