It's a gathering families in Vinton wish would go away. Hundreds of black vultures circle the old William Byrd High School building, roosting in trees, on the building, and homes.
"It's just eerie. They're huge," says Joyce Young, who lives nearby.
Some of the vultures perch behind her house.
"For almost two years, they've been on our property in the pine trees," Young said.
The birds are tearing off branches and leaving behind a mess. Young says she has been trying to get rid of them.
"They'll spit up on you if you clang at them, or whatever. We use the pots and pans, and bought our own (air) horns at Walmart," Young said.
Avonda Bryant lives down the street, and is also fed up with the birds.
"I don't know where they go, but they don't go and stay very long wherever they go," Bryant said. "Everybody's unhappy about it, but you're not allowed to kill them. I don't know why they couldn't do something, because they're just a nuisance."
We contacted the USDA. Jennifer Cromwell with the agency says vultures are a common complaint in Virginia. The agency gets calls everyday.
Cromwell says you can disperse the birds through harassment techniques legal in your area, like air horns or paintball guns. However, vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it illegal to injure or kill a vulture without a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
"We have grandchildren that visit, and I can't let them down there," said Young. "We've really thought we just need to move, and you hate to do that. We love it here," says Young.
The town of Vinton put deterrents on the roof of the old high school, but Cromwell says the town is not required, or may not have the resources, to help private property owners.
Roanoke County Schools say the birds haven't done any damage to the old high school building.
If you have more questions, contact the USDA (804) 739-7739 or 1-866-4USDAWS. You can also visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/vultures/index.shtml
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