SkyTrain Station Renovations

[officedweller]

Thanks.
I didn't think they'd like standing on the angled section
- but the struts look like they are still covered in plastic wrap - easy to grab on to?
I wonder if they can still stand there after the plastic is removed?

... instead of spikes, even just a corrugated ridge-line might deter them from standing
... or a movable collar system like on the Port Mann Bridge cables

[WBC]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Seen plenty of herons and one eagle, but never a falcon - just how many do we have? Perhaps we could encourage more to nest around SkyTrain stations (more towers, stone/brick/concrete architecture, nestboxes)?

Here you go - shot by me in the heart of Metrotown years ago - (Peregrine?) Falcon eating something - possibly a pigeon while a crow is trying to get in onto the action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E90m7K41FSU

If you look high up, sometimes you can spot them way, way higher than pigeons and crows would fly - circling...

[mcminsen]

Someone was staring at me today at Oakridge - 41st Avenue Station.



Dec.27 '18, my pics

[mcminsen]

Back at Commercial - Broadway today. The poop on the new platform (first two pics) and interestingly, there are some pigeons that were roosting above the very busy old platform, undeterred by the crowds (last two pics). Take note, wherever you see some accumulating pigeon poop, give it a wide berth. Or use an umbrella.



Dec.27 '18, my pics





...

[mcminsen]

Commercial - Broadway again. The new concourse space over the ravine is pristine and clean. I really looked hard and could not see one pigeon or any poop at all.



Dec.27 '18, my pic

[dharper]

Anytime something is designed, I don't think they ever take into account that there is a 'thing' called a pigeon. They only seem to care about looks over practicality.

[sryboy]

Originally Posted by MIPS

Call me horrible, but Pigeon infestations are always expensive to remedy and potentially dangerous. There was a shutdown downtown a few years back because a nest caught fire and went through some of the cabling. [SOURCE]

You'll shoot your eye out.

[osirisboy]

Omg no more pigeon posts!!

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by Brixton

http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-pigeons-skytrain-platform-2018

According to this article translink has been employing birds to hang around a few stations "in order to change the habits of the pigeons and deter them from returning.”

Sometimes you gotta fight fire with fire

Other cities have tried that and failed. Turns out that fake raptor calls and walking a falcon around the station don't do anything, because the pigeons quickly realize they're empty threats; you need predators (hawks, cats, owls, snakes, whatever) actually living nearby so the pigeons are constantly worried about being food and end up going somewhere else.

Originally Posted by WBC

Here you go - shot by me in the heart of Metrotown years ago - (Peregrine?) Falcon eating something - possibly a pigeon while a crow is trying to get in onto the action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E90m7K41FSU

If you look high up, sometimes you can spot them way, way higher than pigeons and crows would fly - circling...

Thanks, good vid.

[mcminsen]

The new entrance and ticket machines on Broadway. The old entrance can be seen on the right in the third pic.




Jan.4 '19, my pics

[flipper316]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

The new entrance and ticket machines on Broadway. The old entrance can be seen on the right in the third pic.




Jan.4 '19, my pics

How does something so new look so old already? Would it kill Translink to clean stuff up?

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

is that only 3 fare-gates??? seems like a bit too few.

[ilikeredheads]

sign already covered in bird —...lol

the overhang provides perfect resting spots for the pigeons, as seen in the pics. smh.....

[SpongeG]

can't they just box in that overhang eliminating the pigeons hang out?

[Metro-One]

There has to be more to this issue. Lots of overhangs and covered spots like that in the city that are not as infested with pigeons.

Looks like something drastic needs to be done.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Looks like something drastic needs to be done.

Careful or you might trigger the pigeon enthusiasts....

But yeah, it's a simple and old problem that is no match for modern innovation.

[MIPS]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

can't they just box in that overhang eliminating the pigeons hang out?

You mean like how it was before the Elevator was removed? Better yet, why is it even there in the first place? You can see the pipes above it already have bird spikes.


Original photographer unknown

I also think there's something up for the pigeons to be hanging out over there now en mass. The ticket hall across the street is far more open and I've never seen a bird problem over there anywhere near as bad as this side now is.

Originally Posted by scryer

Careful or you might trigger the pigeon enthusiasts....

Who the hell cares for a flying rat? Even the homeless don't eat them because they are so nasty.

[teriyaki]

Possible its the added warmth provided in the area. Are any of those pipes carrying hot water perhaps?

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by teriyaki

Possible its the added warmth provided in the area. Are any of those pipes carrying hot water perhaps?

One of the problems is that pigeons have few other place to go. Any place that has a small pigeon problem gets spikes... so pigeons congregate in the few areas without spikes or hard to add spikes to instead of being spread throughout the city.

In short, putting spikes everywhere pushes pigeons into a smaller area, causing an actual problem. Solving the small problem creates a much bigger one.

Not that you can do much about it, but I do find it interesting.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by MIPS

Who the hell cares for a flying rat? Even the homeless don't eat them because they are so nasty.

...Something tells me you took my post seriously.