The Nationals and Astros will begin training in a brand new complex in Palm Beach County, Florida beginning in February. But there are already occupants on the site: birds. Hundreds of them. Trash-scavenging “fish crows” who hang around the site because it’s near a big landfill.
The story comes from Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post, who has been providing updates on construction progress at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches (note: completion of the park is gonna really push up against the deadline). He spoke with a wildlife biologist who explains that the birds liked the flat ground near the landfill before construction and that, because these birds are go-with-the-flow types, they’ll likely remain common visitors to the place once people start eating a lot of smelly fried ballpark food there as well.
So, enjoy the new complex this spring, Nats and Astros fans. Just make sure you wear a hat and don’t look up with your mouth open all that much.
