Today a woman came up to the mall Customer Service desk and told me there was a bird walking around in the food court. She said she wasn't complaining, just wanting me to know. I thanked her, told her I'd pass on the information, and she went on her way. I did call the mall office, although I wasn't telling them something new. We've had resident birds for some time now.
A couple of weeks ago I was coming into the mall when I heard a sound near a water feature. I traced the source of the sound, and located a small brown bird perched on a tropical plant. It was some distance away, but based on its size I guessed it was a sparrow. I reported my finding to the first security officer I saw, but they were already aware of the issue.
Days passed. I was walking around before the mall opened and saw two birds flying down the main corridor. When I told Security, the officer said they were trying to remove them, but hadn't had any luck. Since that time I've have sporadic bird sightings. Once they were hovering around the huge Christmas tree in the center of the mall. Another time they were up on the second floor close to an atrium window. I hadn't seen them in the food court, but it didn't surprise me to hear they'd found their way there, since it would have crumbs to nosh on.
I wonder how the birds got in? The mall has automatic doors that open and close quickly, and the loading dock area is below the mall; you have to use an elevator to get up to the shopping area. However it happened, the birds will have to go. Word on the street is that they've set some live traps, but so far the birds haven't cooperated.
Wonder how many more bird reports I'll get?
Five years ago today: New Thing #326--Fragrance
that's cute....we have a few in the building where our auctions are held! They have nests up in the rafters.
ReplyDeleteI hope the mall birds don't take up permanent residence!
DeleteWe've been in stores here in Hawaii where birds have gotten in and I wondered how they would ever get them out, especially with the high ceilings.
ReplyDeleteI've seen birds in the big-box hardware stores, where there's always a contractor or loading dock door open. That doesn't seem as strange as having them in a nice shopping area, though.
DeleteI'd bet they found a small hole somewhere and slipped in thinking it would make a fine nesting place on the other side. Poor little things, they will have to go, but not before amusing a lot of people.
ReplyDeleteYou're probably right; I hadn't thought of that!
Deletebirds can get in through the smallest openings, they're all feathers!
ReplyDeleteYou're right! I did a quick bit of research and found out it only takes a hole about and inch and a half. That's pretty small.
DeleteThere are birds in my local grocery store.....smiles....
ReplyDeleteTHAT'S kind of gross! Hope they stay away from anyplace that has unwrapped food.
DeleteIn California our malls are all open air spaces. That means lots and lots and lots of birds...at the food court. Gross.
ReplyDeleteBirds and open-air spaces seem more natural than birds inside buildings. Inside or outside, though, I don't like having them around food.
Deleteit's good to see live traps being used, or attempted to be used:)
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteThats cute. A bit of mother nature is nice.
ReplyDelete