The municipality of Borger-Odoorn has had a rack problem for years. Residents of Nieuw-Buinen complain about noise, poop rain and falling branches caused by the large, black birds. Since 2023, the municipality has been trying to reduce nuisance with a test approach. But that approach now appears to have insufficient effect. That is why Borger-Odoorn comes to the province of Drenthe for help.
The approach seemed promising. Nests were removed, trees made less attractive and even strobe lights were used to scare the rooks. At the beginning of 2024, tree caretaker Cornelis van der Wal was still optimistic: “If you remove the nest and the fork, the bird will not return.” Unfortunately, the roek thinks differently.
The birds appeared to be attached to their old spot on, among others, Kerklaan and Prins Bernhardlaan in Nieuw-Buinen. And as soon as the breeding season starts, the possibilities to chase them away are minimal. Rooks are protected and should not be disturbed if there are eggs in the nests.
The test approach, which would run until 2026 and costs 142,000 euros, is stuck. The new location where the rooks had to move to, turns out to be unsuitable due to a bird of prey’s nest. And without an alternative place, no relocation is possible.
That is why the municipality has now called in the help of the province. The municipality says this cannot solve this alone. “Moreover, we are dependent on the province in the field of regulations,” said a spokesperson for the municipality.
The municipality now hopes to come up with new measures together with the province. What they will be exactly is still unclear.