The City of Ocala requested assistance in mitigating a recurring problem at the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park: birds nesting in the ceiling of the park’s large public pavilion. While the park functions as a conservation site, the presence of birds and their droppings in this high-use area posed a health hazard to visitors. The challenge was clear—prevent nesting activity without harming wildlife or compromising the park’s ecological mission.
The pavilion’s open design made it a prime location for birds seeking shelter. Although removal was not an option due to conservation goals, bird activity had to be redirected away from the structure. In addition, our team had to manage live birds flying within the exclusion zone during the install and ensure all preventive measures aligned with humane and legal standards.
We began with a thorough pre-installation inspection and coordination with city staff to confirm there were no active nests containing eggs or young in the pavilion or adjacent trees. A few nests in nearby trees were safely removed and relocated, all found to be unoccupied.
With planning finalized, our technicians worked over four full days to install professional-grade bird netting across the entire pavilion ceiling. The exclusion net was anchored securely to prevent reentry while ensuring birds were not trapped behind the mesh. Our process prioritized both safety and minimal disruption to the park’s natural setting.
The installation successfully excluded all future bird nesting within the pavilion structure. City officials expressed satisfaction with the outcome, and the pavilion has since remained free of droppings and nesting activity. The project was completed on schedule with no adverse impact to wildlife—an ideal solution for a conservation-sensitive area.
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