By Laura Lane
The Herald visited the train station recently to gauge the effectiveness of the Long Island Rail Road's year-old installation of pigeon-discouraging plastic spikes and wire mesh netting.
The areas with netting were pigeon-free. Sections where spikes were added, however, appeared to have created a veritable pigeon coop, attracting more of the birds. "The pigeons now live right above the benches, so you won't find anyone sitting on them," said Barry Fox, president of the Merrick Park Home Owners Association. "You park your car anywhere underneath the station and your car will be covered with bird droppings. And the pigeons are right above the automatic ticket machines, too."
LIRR spokesman James Castle agreed that the pigeons are a problem. He said that the netting, however, has been a small success. "The Long Island Rail Road status as a New York state agency obligates us to find an effective yet humane deterrent to pigeons roosting at the stations," Castle said, adding that the plastic spikes have minimized the surfaces available for roosting. "We are guided by pigeon professionals who recommended the use of netting and spikes," he said. "Some areas can't be netted because the LIRR workers require access to them for maintenance."
The Herald found pigeons nesting in all of the locations described by Fox, and in other areas as well. And a car parked in a handicapped spot under the train trestle was covered in pigeon droppings.
Castle said that the branch line manager would perform an inspection to identify the problems.
The station had other areas of concern as well. Two holes, each approximately 6 inches in diameter, were found on the sidewalk where commuters are dropped off and picked up. They appear to have been left after poles were removed. The branch manager will inspect the holes to determine why they remain, Castle said.
Fox, who accompanied the Herald on one visit, also pointed out an area of the ceiling that is crumbling. He worried that commuters may be hit by the concrete, and wondered if the ceiling was sound. Castle said that "although the concrete under the divider may not be aesthetically pleasing, the viaduct is sound." He added that the LIRR inspects the viaducts regularly and "spalling concrete is removed as needed."
Commuters were quick to share their opinions on the condition of the station in general and the pigeons in particular. "The pigeons are disgusting," said Mary-Anne DiNucci, who said she takes the train often. "The spikes don't work at all. I watch the birds land on them."
Erica Jackman pointed to the bird droppings on the concrete at the foot of the escalator leading to the tracks. "I notice the filth and a lot of pigeons around all the time," Jackman said. "I wouldn't sit on any of the benches because they're right overhead."
Not everyone was unhappy about the birds, however. "I don't think they're a problem," said Thomas Knight. "I take the train two, three times a week, and I like to watch the birds."
Comments about this story? LLane@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
