Ocean City, NJ Continuing Seagull Abatement For Summer 2024

When you visit the Ocean City Boardwalk in the last few years, you may have noticed there are fewer Seagulls patrolling the area compared to some other South Jersey Boardwalks. The reason you will not be harassed by a plethora of Seagulls is because of a program that City Council has unanimously approved to continue for the 2024 Summer Season.

Since 2019, the Cape May County Shore Town of Ocean City has employed the services of East Coast Falcons for what its called a Bird Abatement Programs.  The goal is to intimidate Seagulls who historically have loitered around the Boardwalk and densely populated areas Jersey Shore Towns.

With the ECF Birds of Prey on Patrol in Ocean City, they are driving Seagulls back to their more natural habitats in undeveloped areas of South Jersey. The Seagulls can live and feed in areas such as the Marshlands, The Bays, and less active Ocean Coastlines such as Corson's Inlet State Park at the Southern End of Ocean City.

Based in Lodi, New Jersey the East Coast Falcons train different Birds of Prey such as Hawks and Falcons for daytime patrol then an Owl for Night duty.  The birds have a natural instinct to protect their territory and they are trained to view the Seagulls as unwanted intruders who must be chased out of the area.

The ECF are being contracted by Ocean City to run the program from April 4th through October 19th this year. Their Birds and Handlers will be stationed on the Boardwalk along with the busy areas of town such 34th street area and Asbury Avenue Business District. They will begin their services 8 am or earlier to patrol the breakfast establishments to protect their businesses from Seagull harassment.