Long Time Resident Sadly Reports No Longer Proud To Call Roosevelt Island Home - It Used To Be Such A Pretty Place But No Longer Tipster Says, Just Look At The Filthy Pigeon Poop Mess On Waterfront Bench - What Will It Take To Get RIOC To Clean This Eyesore?

A Long Time Roosevelt Island sadly reports:

Forty-some years ago when I moved here the Island was a pretty place. I was proud to call it home. But it hasn't been for a while. Leaves cluttered our grounds for months...... except around Blackwell House where leaf blowers were used. Potholes and cracked sidewalks are now the norm, while litter is all over. I drive past housing projects in Queens whose grounds are better kept than ours. 

This bench

is the worst example of management that does not care nor take pride in our environment. It makes me sad and robs me of my long-standing pride in living here.

The bench with the disgusting pigeon poop is located on the Roosevelt Island Waterfront East Promenade behind Roosevelt Landing. The bench next to the one in picture is free of pigeon poop.

What does it take to get the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp to clean this eyesore? 

UPDATE 1/21
:

New Light Fixtures Bring Back Pooping Pigeons To Roosevelt Landings Arcade - There Has To Be A Better Way Says Frustrated Roosevelt Island Resident

Received the following message from a Roosevelt Island resident:

A while ago Hudson-Related replaced the lights again in the arcade. I’m not talking about the hanging lights but the lights attached to the walls in the middle of the arcade. The lights that are there now have a flat surface that pigeons sit on and now we are back to the same problem.

There is pigeon poop in the middle of the arcade every morning, and most of the day, that the Urban American guys have to clean up every day. Not only is the clean-up a problem but people can no longer just walk freely in the arcade but one has to move to the sides so that they don’t get hit with pigeon poop. There has to be a better way.

I asked Hudson Related to comment. Will update when answer received.

UPDATE 1:30 PM - A Hudson Related spokesperson replied:

We are actively looking into solutions.

Baby Birds Mooching Muffin From Roosevelt Island Starbucks Outdoor Table Patio Today - Pass The Latte Please

According to the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

Baby birds munching muffin from Roosevelt Island #Starbucks outdoor patio table today pic.twitter.com/Vn629UpBLk

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) July 8, 2016

Roosevelt Island Resident Fed Up With Pigeon Poop At Motorgate Garage - Wants Action From RIOC To Clean Up The Mess

Roosevelt Island resident Raye Schwartz shares message below she sent to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) earlier today about pigeon poop at the Motorgate Garage.

Image of Entrance to Motorgate Garage Atrium

Ms. Schwartz reports:

I'm totally fed up with this situation. Today I stopped by the RIOC office and got as far as the receptionist who said "they're working on it" and to contact you. This has been going on for years and nothing is being done except we have to play hopscotch to get from the elevators to our parked cars. RIOC claims it's Motorgate's responsibility and they claim it's RIOC's job. The biggest issue is the proliferation of pigeon nests in the rafters, and those must be removed immediately.

Notice that the atrium was power washed and screening was installed to deter pigeons so RIOC could hang art. Yet they won't do anything to keep this crap from getting on our cars, our shoes and the wheels of baby strollers. Obviously, then, their priority is appearance rather than protecting the health and safety of people who are paying parking fees and taxes.

There are laws about this hazard in New York City. Does RIOC really want the unfavorable publicity if enough of us call the news media to report this or the aggravation of legal involvement if there are sanctions because of broken laws?

Can we please have a solution which should involve the following steps:
1. Get an exterminator to go through Motorgate and remove all pigeon nests from the rafters.
2. Install screening so the nests do not come back.
3. Power wash the droppings on a periodic and reasonable schedule.
4. Empower PSD to issue summons to people who ignore signage and feed pigeons and squirrels.
5. RIOC president to implement an immediate and continuing campaign which will include articles in the WIRE, signage on the kiosks, and flyers in stores, at the visitors center and on apartment building bulletin boards warning people about the health hazards.
6. While the NY City law about feeding pigeons is vague and confusing, there are workarounds  such as declaring that it is against the law of a particular community or entity (such as the Central Park Conservancy). Since RIOC is the name of this town they are able to declare certain activities illegal and punishable by law.
7. Reminding people that feeding pigeons also attracts rats, which has resulted in poison being put down and has already killed squirrels and could be a serious hazard to young kids playing outside.

These photos were taken today.

These photos were taken Sept 9, 2015:

These photos were taken in 2013:

Please please please get this resolved.

Thanks,

UPDATE 10/19 -A RIOC Spokesperson responds:

We are taking the necessary steps to solve the pigeon issue at Motorgate and believe that with a consistent cleaning schedule, additional signage deterring people from feeding pigeons (including the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings) and eliminating nesting areas will help address the issue. Porters at Motorgate have increased the number of scheduled cleanings specifically for pigeon droppings on each floor. In addition, the Director of Island Operations, Cy Opperman, is currently looking into other humane solutions to control and deter the pigeons at the facility.

Roosevelt Island Rats, Urinating Dogs, Sportspark And Tram Station Among Topics Addressed By RIRA Island Services Committee At Common Council Meeting Last Night

Image Of Commercial Garbage Area Opposite 425 Main Street

Below is the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Island Services Committee (ISC) report to the April 2015 Common Council (CC) Meeting submitted by Chair Aaron Hamburger

RIRA – ISLAND SERVICES COMMITTEE (ISC)

REPORT TO COMMON COUNCIL – 4/1/15
ISC met 3/24/15 with 7 members present from the membership of 11.

New Tram Elevators – The elevator project is in the 90 day design period, expected to be completed by mid‐May. As soon as the design is finished, ISC will urge RIOC to start negotiations with NYC to obtain the necessary park land to accommodate the larger foot‐ print for the new elevators.

Access to Tram for Strollers, Bicycles & the Disabled ‐ Wording for the proposed new signs on the Tram emergency gates has been submitted to RIOC. These signs remove the threat of a summons for anyone opening the gates.

Condition of Spotspark Facilities & Programs – A comprehensive report on conditions at Sportspark, prepared by Susy Perea, was discussed and endorsed by ISC. However, the report needs some rounding‐out before submission to RIOC. ISC members are adding additional information to the report. The final report, which should be available later in April, will be sent to appropriate people at RIOC. We will ask for a series of meetings to develop an action plan and timing for fixing the many problems at this facility.

Control of Rats & Pigeons – Rossana described the situation at the commercial garbage yard opposite 425 Main St. In a word, the area is a mess which is attracting many rats. Rossana is preparing a report describing the problem, suggesting procedures to solve the problem and citing NYC Health Dept. regulations covering storage and disposal of commercial garbage. The report will be presented to RIOC and the commercial businesses in Southtown who are responsible for proper handling of their garbage.

Dog Urination Problem at Roosevelt Landings Main St. Section. – Roosevelt Landings has begun weekly washing of the sidewalks under the Main St. canopy. We’ve requested that they post “Curb Your Dog”” signs at strategic locations along Main St.

There was nothing new to report on 3 other active issues – Condition of Sidewalks & Paths, Re‐establish Boy Scouts on RI, and Management of the Garden Club.

Mr. Hamberger updated the RIRA CC on the clean up of the Commercial Garbage area reporting that:

... some of the rats were invading 425...

Riverwalk building, but that the condition has now been mostly corrected by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC).

RIRA CC member Joyce Short commented on the dog urination portion of the report said that "curbing" your dog was not appropriate on Roosevelt Island because if you curb you dog on Main Street, the dog will be hit by a car. Ms. Short suggested dog owners bring their dogs behind Roosevelt Landings "to do their business" before walking on Main Street.

Here's the discussion.

RIRA Island Services Committee Active Roosevelt Island Issues - New Elevator For Tram Station, Sportspark Facilities, Tram Gate Access, Boy Scouts, Management Of Garden Club, New Public Library, Rat and Pigeon Control & Dog Urination

 Image of Out Of Service Tram Passenger Elevator and ADA Red Lift From May 29 2013

Below is the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Island Services Committee (ISC) report to the February 2015 Common Council Meeting submitted by Chair Aaron Hamburger

RIRA – ISLAND SERVICES COMMITTEE (ISC) REPORT TO COMMON COUNCIL ‐ 2/4/15

The ISC met on 1/13/15 with 8 members present from the total membership of 12.

Active Issues – The ISC reviewed all active issues from the last term and decided to continue the 7 issues in the new term. ISC members were assigned “Lead Person” responsibilities for each issue.

The issues are:

• New Elevator at Manhattan Tram Station
• Condition of Sportspark Facilities
• Easy Access to Tram for Strollers, Bicycles and the Disabled at the Roosevelt Island (RI) Station 
• Re‐establish Boy Scouts on Roosevelt Island (RI)
• Management of Roosevelt Island Garden Club
• New Public Library
• Control of Rats and Pigeons on RI

New Issue – Dogs are urinating on the outside walls of Roosevelt Landings under the Main St. canopy. The situation is particularly acute at the north end of the canopy. Walls are being damaged and there are unsightly messes in this area. We discussed a number of ways to attack this problem including getting Public Safety to issue summons, getting RL management to routinely hose down the sidewalk under the canopy, posting signs in the affected areas and experimenting with an anti‐urination spray for dogs.

The ISC expects to next meet in mid‐February

Let the RIRA ISC know if you have an issue or concern about Roosevelt Island services and they may be able to help.

More On Roosevelt Island Pooping Subway Pigeons - Channel 7 Eyewitness News Takes A Look And Gets Reactions

Image of Ch 7 Eyewitness News Visiting Roosevelt Island

Following yesterday's NY Times story about the MTA's use of an audio predator system attempting to rid the Roosevelt Island Subway Station of pigeons, Channel 7 Eyewitness visited to take a look at get reactions. Here's their report.



More on the Roosevelt Island pigeon pooping subway problem from previous posts.

MTA's Audio Predator Solution To Roosevelt Island Subway Station Pooping Pigeon Plague Reported On By NY Times Today

Image of Pigeon Poop Roosevelt Island F Train Subway Station Before Audio Repellant

Last January 26, reported on the pooping pigeons plaguing  the Roosevelt Island F Train Subway station appeared to be gone:

... Have you noticed the Roosevelt Island F Train Subway station entrance is much cleaner recently? There are less pigeons, less pigeon poop and the netting on the ceiling has been removed....

and reader Yet Another RIer added:

I think they use some kind of audio based repellent. I assume the bird sounds I heard this morning in the station are similar to whatever predators pigeons have? There is also a white loudspeaker kind of thing mounted high up close to the ceiling windows. But, yes, except for the one or two stray pigeons it seems to be quite effective.

Today's NY Times reports on the Roosevelt Island Subway Pooping Pigeon solution devised by the MTA:

... The authority has had a problem with pigeons entering the station, and leaving their feathers, and more unsightly evidence, on and under the walls. The agency had used netting, similar to chicken wire, beneath the ceiling to try to keep the pigeons at bay. 

But in early December, the authority tried a different tack: a $375 bird call system that releases distress and predator calls every 2 to 10 minutes. Since then, authority officials have focused on cleaning up the station and the negative memories many riders still hold of the unsightly entrance....

and:

At the Roosevelt Island station, riders seemed relatively unimpressed with the authority’s new gadget.

As Darsheen Davis waited in the station on a recent afternoon and a pigeon fearlessly strutted by, she pointed to the white droppings that still streaked the station’s ceiling. She suffers from bronchial asthma and said the pigeon smell remains so strong it makes her dizzy every time she waits there.

“I don’t have anything against animals because I have nine pits,” Ms. Davis said, referring to her pit bulls. “You see all the feces up there. It’s not sanitary.”

Other riders are more concerned about the pigeons’ welfare.

Tashi Chodron, a Tibetan Buddhist who lives on the island, recalls the first time she heard the “very disturbing” sounds in the station. For the past few months, she has been delivering bread and bagels for the pigeons because she fears that they are having trouble finding food during winter.;...

... Ms. Chodron’s friend John McCormick, who feeds the birds with her, using leftovers from his catering business, said he preferred the old method and pointed out that New Yorkers would always complain...

Click here for the entire New York Times Roosevelt Island Pooping Pigeons solution article. Image below from the NY Times of a Roosevelt Island F Train Subway Station entrance clean of pigeon poop.

 Librado Romero/The New York Times

Are Pooping Pigeons Gone From Roosevelt Island F Train Subway Station? A Cleaner Subway Entrance, What Happened - Sonic Repellent System?

Image of Cleaner Roosevelt Island Subway Entrance Ceiling Today

Have you noticed the Roosevelt Island F Train Subway station entrance is much cleaner recently? There are less pigeons, less pigeon poop and the netting on the ceiling has been removed.

Do you remember what the Roosevelt Island F Train Subway used to look like - this:

and

Today, the ceilings are now relatively clean of pigeon poop and the disgusting netting is gone.

I've asked the MTA what was done to reduce the pooping pigeon problem and will report back when they answer.

Similar pooping pigeon problems plague neighborhoods throughout New York City.

You Tube Video of Pix News Pigeon Poop Patrol

The Bronx Times reports that at the Pelham Bay Subway Station the MTA:

... is installing systems to deter pigeons, such as spikes, repellent gel and a sonic repellent system. It also pledges to clean all pigeon droppings at the station and will install a “Do Not Feed the Pigeons”... sign.

Despite the cleaner Roosevelt Island subway station, the pigeons are not gone. I saw one up in the rafters this morning - just hanging out waiting for.....

Roosevelt Island Subway Station Doors Still Broken After More Than a Year, Borough President Scott Stringer Wants Answers From the MTA - Here's How F Train Came to Roosevelt Island Via 63rd Street Tunnel

Image of Broken Door at Roosevelt Island Subway Station Entrance From Trevre Andrews

The door to the entrance of the Roosevelt Island subway station is still broken but that has not stopped resident Trevre Andrews from trying to get the attention of the MTA F Line General Manager to fix the door. Last month Mr. Andrews emailed the F Line General Manager asking:

The street level door at the Roosevelt Island F train station has been broken for more than a year now.  Could we please have it fixed?  Thanks.

See below, it looked about the same this morning.

Last week, Mr. Andrews tried again emailing the F Line General Manager:

I went through the F-train station today on Roosevelt Island and see that now 2 out of the 3 doors are broken.  Can you let me know what the plan is for repairing them?  Thanks.

The Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer is now on the case as well but Mr. Stringer is going right to the top of the MTA with this letter to MTA Chairman Jay Walder. (Link to letter in Google Docs)

Roosevelt Island Subway Station Letter to MTA

Mr. Stringer's letter is as a result of this meeting held last month in which the Borough President spoke with a group of Roosevelt Island residents about a variety of issues concerning Roosevelt Island. At the meeting, Mr. Stringer promised to contact the MTA about the subway door and platform leak which he mentioned in the letter. Another subway issue which was discussed at the meeting with Mr. Stringer was the disgusting perennial pigeon poop plaguing the Roosevelt Island station but that unfortunately has not made the letter to the MTA Chairman.

We shall see if Borough President Stringer has any better luck in getting the Roosevelt Island subway door entrance fixed than our own resident Mr. Andrews. If he does, then let's start working on the pigeon poop.

Have you ever wondered how subway service came to Roosevelt Island in the first place? Here's a fascinating video via Second Avenue Sagas showing how the F Train came to Roosevelt Island by way of the 63rd Street Tunnel.

You Tube Video on Making of East River Subway Tunnel via 2nd Ave Sagas

Report From RIOC'S President - Pigeon Poop, RISAR Suspension, Possible Library Re-location, Ferry Service & Other Roosevelt Island Issues Of Concern

Image Of RIOC Logo

RIOC President Steve Shane sends the following report to Roosevelt Island residents. Mr. Shane updates us on RISAR Suspension, Pigeon Poop, Possible Library re-location possibility of temporary ferry service during tram outage, RIOC Board Nominees, FDR Memorial, Green Rooms/Wild Gardens, Tram Overhaul, Public Purpose Funding, Main Street Retail Consultant's report, Consultation with RIRA, various local construction projects, and other issues of concern to Roosevelt Island.

November 3, 2009

1. Board of Directors: November 5 meeting cancelled. Literally, no Board action items on the putative agenda. The nominations of Margie Smith and Mike Shinozaki to the Board and the re-nomination of Dr. Grimm are still pending confirmation by the NY State Senate. Next meeting December 10 at 4:30 PM, Town Hall to follow.
2. Southpoint:
(A) Green Rooms/Wild Gardens: The contractor continues rough grading, paths and stone walls; Phase 2 to complete the park, including finish grading, capping, and utilities, fencing and planting to follow.
(B) FDR Memorial: RIOC is working with the State and City Parks Departments on integration of funding and oversight mechanics for the $4 million State appropriation, the $4.5 million from the City and at least $8 million from FERI as necessary for Phase I. Legal work is ongoing. The Disabled Association is nearing an understanding with FERI as to location of the disabled presentation of FDR. State Parks has approved an operating and maintenance budget and is in receipt of a $2 million endowment to fund the expenses. November 4 meeting with State Commissioner Ash to discuss allocation of responsibility for implementing the plan and the mechanics of RIOC reimbursement for incurred expenses. More reported next column.
3. RISAR: Pursuant to determination of the State Department of Health and the City Regional Emergency Medical Services Council, RISAR’s authorization to conduct operations on Roosevelt Island has been terminated. A Cease & Desist Order has been issued. Until and unless it is reinstated, RISAR should NOT be called for an emergency on the Island.
4. Pigeons: All are disgusted with the pigeon deposits at the subway and anywhere else they congregate. PLEASE, do not feed the pigeons. In addition to being dirty, they are carriers of disease. Please respect your neighbors. Public Safety will issue citations for feeding the pigeons.
5. Library: We have met with the planning and program folks from the NYPL and they are enthused about the prospect of expanding into 504 Main Street. The first floor would be ideal for them, but the details of funding remain to be worked out with the City budget. Stay tuned.
6. Tram: On schedule for shutdown March 1, 2010 and reopening end of August 2010. See renderings of the proposed Tram stations on our web site. Regular monthly progress meetings with architects, engineers, POMA, expediters, City and State agencies, etc., all to move to an orderly execution of the project. Routine brake, track rope, cabins, hangers, etc. inspections are being performed.
7. Projects: Work is ongoing on many projects and others are being completed. Motorgate lighting experiments continue; resurfacing and waterproofing work await finalization of asbestos abatement plan resulting in postponing until Spring. AVAC fencing completed and enclosure work under way. Swimming pool at Sportspark is closed for repairs to be reopened by November 9. Rehabilitation of the gym (bleachers, flooring and padding), ADA compliance and installation of a fire safety system is underway. RIOC is studying solar panels for the rooftop of Motorgate with NYPA. Octagon sewer connection restoration from the water tunnel to begin, allowing reopening of the comfort station. Octagon field back in operation with natural surface, pending final conclusions about artificial surfaces. Planning for new Blackwell Park is an ongoing collective effort to incorporate various community constituencies.
8. Southtown Buildings 5 and 6 are being occupied.
9. Main Street Retail: The final consultants’ report is posted and has been made available to the blog sites and the WIRE. Much to think about.
10. Coordination with RIRA: A long list of matters of common interest is being discussed so that everyone’s input will be available. Parking, red bus scheduling, Good Shepherd Plaza, landscaping, public purpose criteria, budgeting, etc., etc.
11. Ferry: Explored temporary service at the existing pier at the meditation steps while the Tram is out next year, but underwater rock formations make spud pier infeasible. Now reviewing the old oil dock on the east channel behind the steam plant. Subject to engineering clearance, approvals from the Coast Guard, and if there is sufficient ridership interest based on surveys for a service to 32nd Street and maybe on down to Wall Street during rush hours, with a business plan which RIOC would have to subsidize to some level (to be determined, subject to Board approval, but guesstimated to be approximately $100,000 for 6 months), if, if, if….Will keep everyone posted. The City’s indicated schedule for proceeding with the proposed ferry service at the Octagon is end of 2010, at best.
12. Public Purpose Fund: RIOC has completed auditing the 7 awardees from the 2009 award cycle as to both financial and performance results. The information will be made available in the review and selection process. For interested parties for the 2010/11 cycle, see the RIOC website. RIRA will again be asked to give recommendations and the ultimate funding decisions will be made by the Board to be included in the next RIOC budget.
13. Blackwell Park: Community planning is ongoing, with several divergent views presented. Group meetings involving many stakeholders will surface opinions of different perspectives.
14. Red Buses: With an accelerated delivery schedule, two new Hybrid Buses are delivered and should be integrated into the fleet and on the street by next week. Look for Numbers 5 and 6.
15. Halloween: A happy, peaceful holiday was enjoyed on the Island. Especially the small ghosts and goblins.

This message was also published as the RIOC column in the 11/7/09 Main Street WIRE.

Will Magnets Solve Roosevelt Island Pooping Pigeon Problem At F Train Subway Station

Roosevelt Island F Subway Station Rafters Filled With Pigeon Droppings

A reader of this NY Times City Room Blog post on the Failing F train commented (#10) on the disgusting condition of pigeon poop all over the Roosevelt Island subway station:

I’ve lived in NYC all my life, but am really disgusted by the F station on RI where I live. Pigeons are allowed to roost inside the station and the floors and turnstiles are covered daily by droppings. The ceiling has been draped with netting in attempt to discourage the pigeons from entering the station, but they somehow fly in anyway. Because of this, birds still flap around above, the netting has become filled with feathers and pigeon droppings, and the escalators and handrails are targeted with pigeon poop. This is a high-volume subway station on a very busy subway line, and it is filthy. Additionally, on the Manhattan-bound platform, water can be heard gushing behind a metal door. I’m not a structural engineer but I’m thinking that’s not good.

Roosevelt Island F Subway Station Turnstle Bird Droppings

RIOC Director Jonathan Kalkin addressed this issue with RIOC staff and reports:

I discussed with everyone the bird problem and they stated that they are going to try putting magnets in the subway station. A revolving door would solve the problem too, but it is not ADA compliant. They could board up the area where the birds go, but that could kill off the present birds and would not be aesthetically pleasing.

Staff at RIOC said that pigeons do not like magnets. It interferes with the homing ability. I do not know if this will work and am looking into several other alternatives at the moment.

I don't know about magnets but I do know it might help if people would stop throwing food at them and feeding them. I see this quite often, particularly at the Starbucks patio where people throw their crumbs at one or two pigeons and then a huge flock of them fly over to battle over the pieces.

More Roosevelt Island Subway pigeon poop from earlier posts.

Pooping Pigeons Continue To Plauge Roosevelt Island F Subway Station- Keep Your Head Down!

Roosevelt Island F Subway Station Rafters Filled With Pigeon Droppings

Be careful not to look up into the rafters of the Roosevelt Island F Train subway station when entering because you might get a big disgusting surprise plopped right in your face. Pooping pigeons continue to plauge the Roosevelt Island F Train subway station with their droppings.

Yesterday's scene at the F Train entrance was particularly vile. (Click on the images for full impact). Fortunately, the turnstyle droppings were cleaned up later that day.

Roosevelt Island F Subway Station Turnstle Bird Droppings

The MTA keeps performance metrics on such quality issues as on time train performance, crime, passenger overcrowding and escalator maintenance. Perhaps they should add a metric for disgusting pigeon poop? If they do, Roosevelt Island would certainly fail big time in this category!

Pigeon Waiting For F Train At Roosevelt Island Subway Station

Pooping Pigeons Plague Roosevelt Island F Train Subway Station - Look Out Below!

Image of Pigeon waiting for F Train with other Roosevelt Islanders

Traditional metrics for evaluating the MTA's subway service include criteria such as on time performance of the trains, passenger overcrowding, crime, escalator and elevator outages etc. Now we can add a new item for measuring subway service - PIGEON POOP DROPPINGS - and the Roosevelt Island F Train Station fails horribly.

Pigeons are all over the subway station and leave their delightful calling cards on the ground, the turnstiles, stairs and everywhere else. I recall a time not too long ago when as I was sweeping my metro card through the turnstile machine a big glob of pigeon poop landed on my hand and card. Not a very pleasant experience!

A reader sent in these Roosevelt Island Subway Pigeon Poop Pictures.








Someone once told me that it is good luck to be pigeon pooped on your head but I think that is an honor I can do without.

Blogger Annietown had some thoughts on pigeon pooping on head luck idea.

... Here’s the thing: a bird takes a dump on me EVERY YEAR. And I don’t even spend a lot of time outdoors. In fact, one might say that I do not like the outdoors and am generally suspicious of anything that does not have four walls and a roof. Last year I was walking down 8th Ave and 50th St. and a bird just laid one on me. I mean it’s MIDTOWN. There’s zero chance of nature there. And yet there I was, with bird shit on my sleeve and all over my watch. The year before that it was actually on my head. Everyone loves to tell you that it’s good luck, but then why don’t they make bird shit key chains like a rabbit’s foot? Everyone is clearly lying and they are horrible horrible people. It’s good luck for the bird.