Alfred Hitchcock Told Us Birds Can be Scary

Now, it would have been great to publish this post before Halloween but perhaps the terrifying nature of the blog will still be appreciated.

In Rome, at this time of the fall, hundreds, thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of birds migrate here. They fill the trees and fly in huge groups that resemble clouds above.

Around dusk, the groups of birds swarm, not really moving in a direction, but making large shapes and patterns in the sky. They swarm until it gets dark and then they nest in sycamores that line the Tiber river.

See this website for a video: http://wn.com/Roman_Bird_Migration

Now natural phenomenon is very interesting but this swarming leads to some problems. First, the stench of birds is horrendous. Second, these large groups are destroying the trees to the point where they barely have leaves left. Third, there are the droppings.



But, the droppings do not just fall under trees and completely enshrine parked cars. Even if you are stealthy enough to avoid trees, the swarming makes it so you have to bring an umbrella with you if going out between the hours of 4-6. Seriously, when they swarm it sounds like it is raining and if you hear that sound you better run for cover or expect your day to be made afowl. We cant wait till the siege is over!