Workers at downtown Ames businesses have been expressing concern due to some local birds who have selected the area along Main Street as their primary hangout.

Hundreds of birds are gathering in the trees of Tom Evans Park, located on Main Street between Big Table Books and Lucullan’s Restaurant, and are creating quite a stink among business owners.

Susan Bedell, an employee of Big Table Books, 330 Main St., said the birds are a definite nuisance.

Although Bedell is not sure if the birds are deterring customers from shopping downtown, she said they are creating an eyesore and discouraging people from using Tom Evans Park.

“I used to see people take their lunches and sit out in the park at noon, and now I never see anybody out there,” Bedell said. “It’s disgusting.”

Bedell said she also avoids using the parking lot located by the park because of the birds.

Clean-up of the area falls into the city’s jurisdiction since the problem is not occurring on private property but is concentrated in the park, Bedell said.

“If the city is cleaning the park, it needs to be done more often,” she said.

Lucullan’s Restaurant, 400 Main St., borders the park’s west side and has also had problems with the birds.

“We’ve had customers complain to us about the situation,” said Heather Hansen, an employee of Lucullan’s. “You literally have to take cover around 5 p.m. because there are so many birds.”

Hansen said the ground is virtually covered with droppings, which produce an offensive odor.

“We washed the sidewalks once in preparation for the ‘Baywatch’ wedding party, but since then we haven’t done anything,” Hansen said.

Kevin Shawgo, park superintendent for the city of Ames, said there are currently clean-up efforts underway.

“We go in every Monday and Friday and power-wash all of the sidewalks, tables and artwork to help clean up the area,” Shawgo said.

Long-term clean-up plans are still up in the air, Shawgo said.

“This winter, we plan on going in and trimming the trees and removing some branches to discourage the birds from roosting in the park,” he said. “The only 100 percent way to guarantee the birds won’t come back is to cut down all of the trees, but we really don’t want to do that.”

Hansen remained optimistic that the problem would eventually be fixed.

“Right now I think we’re just waiting for winter,” she said.