Landscaper Steps Up to Clean 700 Dead Birds From Outbreak

When more than 700 dead geese lined the shores of Georgica Pond in East Hampton this winter, Jim Grimes didn't wait for someone else to act.

The local landscaper and town trustee watched as agencies passed the buck on who should clean up the bird flu outbreak. The town board didn't want to touch it, and state officials made clear they wouldn't be sending help.

So Grimes put on a protective suit and N95 mask and got to work. He dug a 30-foot trench and personally moved 200 birds to their final resting place, then helped coordinate removal of 500 more.

The outbreak hit Long Island hard this winter. Unusually long freezing temperatures left birds with scarce resources and weakened immune systems, causing them to cluster around any open water they could find.

Wildlife conservationists say this crowding spread the H5N1 virus rapidly among wild waterfowl. Infected birds become disoriented and often die within a day.

Southampton faced similar challenges, with hundreds of dead birds appearing along Sagg Pond. Emergency manager Ryan Murphy noted that while bird flu has affected farm poultry since 2022, this marked the first year wild waterfowl were hit so hard.

The town eventually hired Suffolk County Deer Management to handle Southampton's cleanup. East Hampton's solution was simpler: one man willing to do what needed doing.

Grimes called his fellow trustees for help but heard excuse after excuse. His son Noah, an equine veterinarian in Texas, provided guidance on safe handling procedures.

Why This Inspires

Jim Grimes represents something we need more of: people who see a problem and solve it without waiting for perfect systems or clear authority. He didn't have specialized training in infectious disease or hazardous waste management. He had protective equipment, common sense advice from his son, and the willingness to serve his community.

His actions also highlight a growing reality in local emergency response. When agencies can't agree on jurisdiction or lack resources to respond, communities need citizens who step up.

Grimes didn't seek recognition or additional pay for work that clearly fell outside his landscaping duties. He saw neighbors facing a health hazard and potential disease spread, and he acted.

In an era when we often feel powerless waiting for institutions to respond, Grimes showed that individual initiative still matters. Sometimes the most heroic acts are the unglamorous ones: digging trenches, bagging carcasses, and protecting your community one shovelful at a time.