I am not opposed to controlling the population of invasive species. I am opposed to euthanization or shooting, both of which are contained in the DEC plan. It's in many ways ineffective and a waste of taxpayer money. (And if you believe the contaminated euthanized geese were fed to the homeless, there's a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you.) Furthermore, in NYC, the populations of swans to be removed are around JFK, where at least a dozen more species are targeted for removal.
Again I ask, when will it end? And if protecting native species from invasives is such a major concern, then when will the house sparrow and starling removal programs begin? Christina Wilkinson Sent from my iPad > On Jan 17, 2014, at 7:14 AM, "Grover, Bob" <[email protected]> wrote: > > Failure to properly manage invasive species, with the expectation that nature > will take the proper course, is what we call the “Walt Disney theory of > ecology”. > The NYSDEC is doing the right thing. > Bob Grover > > > > > > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Paul R Sweet > Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2014 5:42 PM > To: Christina Wilkinson; [email protected] > Subject: RE: [nysbirds-l] DEC's Mute Swan management plan > > Dear Christina > > While Mute Swans are indeed spectacular birds and it is not their fault that > they are here, they are nevertheless an invasive, non-native species and > detrimental to native wildlife. A quick Google search will find many examples > of problems caused to native avifauna and habitat, for example from Michigan- > > Mute swans are one of the world's most aggressive waterfowl species, > especially during nesting and brood-rearing. Mute swans exhibit aggression > toward other waterfowl and can displace native waterfowl from their nesting > and feeding areas by attacking, injuring and even killing other birds. > > In Michigan, of particular concern are native breeding waterfowl and water > birds such as trumpeter swans (state threatened), Canada geese, ducks, common > loons (state threatened), and black terns (state special concern). > > The trumpeter swan is native to Michigan, and is on our state's threatened > species list. It has been on the road to recovery; however, the increasing > presence of the invasive mute swan is threatening the breeding success of > this native bird. To ensure the protection of the trumpeter swan, the mute > swan population must be drastically reduced. > > Mute swan displacement and aggression toward native wildlife occurs > frequently throughout North America. For example, the New York State > Department of Environmental Conservation reported that three pairs of captive > mute swans killed at least 50 ducks and geese in a zoo. The Maryland > Department of Natural Resources has reported records of mute swans killing > mallard ducklings, Canada goose goslings and cygnets of other mute swans. Not > just waterfowl species are at risk. For example, a large molting flock of > Maryland mute swans caused a colony of least terns and black skimmers to > abandon their nesting colony by trampling nests containing eggs and chicks. > These swans also displaced nesting Forster's and common terns. > > Respectfully, Paul Sweet > > Paul Sweet > Collection Manager > Department of Ornithology > American Museum of Natural History > Central Park West at 79th Street > New York, NY 10024 > > Tel: 212 769 5780 > Cell: 718 757 5941 > > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Christina > Wilkinson > Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2014 3:29 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [nysbirds-l] DEC's Mute Swan management plan > > http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7076.html > > First they killed geese, then owls, now they want to do it to swans. > > When will this ever end? > > Christina > -- > NYSbirds-L List Info: > Welcome and Basics > Rules and Information > Subscribe, Configuration and Leave > Archives: > The Mail Archive > Surfbirds > BirdingOnThe.Net > Please submit your observations to eBird! > -- > > > -- > NYSbirds-L List Info: > Welcome and Basics > Rules and Information > Subscribe, Configuration and Leave > Archives: > The Mail Archive > Surfbirds > BirdingOnThe.Net > Please submit your observations to eBird! > -- > > This communication and any attachments are intended only for the use of the > individual or entity named as the addressee. It may contain information which > is privileged and/or confidential under applicable law. If you are not the > intended recipient or such recipient's employee or agent, you are hereby > notified that any dissemination, copy or disclosure of this communication is > strictly prohibited and to notify the sender immediately. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
