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Oak Harbor council approves falconry pilot to deter downtown seagulls
Summary
The Oak Harbor City Council voted to authorize a March–July 2026 pilot using a licensed falconer to reduce nuisance seagull activity downtown. The contract with Sky Patrol Bird Services LLC is capped at $35,000 and pairs falconry with waste, business and stormwater measures.
Oak Harbor’s City Council voted to authorize a pilot bird-deterrence program that will deploy a licensed falconer in the downtown waterfront area from March through July 2026.
Public Works Director Steve Schuler told the council the program aims to address recurring seagull nuisance problems—accumulated droppings, effects on businesses, and potential water-quality impacts—by introducing a predator presence that encourages birds to relocate. Schuler said the city plans adaptive deployments two to three days per week, combined with in-house efforts to improve waste handling, business coordination and stormwater monitoring.
The pi…
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