Thanks Diane Solis

Thank you Diane for another great article mentioning the problem we experienced with the birds. Keeping attention on this problem will hopefully prevent it from happening to anyone else.

The Scouts may be here...

Well a few of the neighbors have seen a few spots on the ground reminisant of what started off the invasion. I had been told that if we had a mild winter we could expect them to come early in January. It is time to start looking up to ensure we do not go through hell again...

Holiday Gift Request - Egret Deterants

I know what most of the residents of Chamberlain will be asking for this Christmas. Items to deter the birds...
We only have this month and maybe January before they try to return again. None of us want to go through the hell these birds cause.
The other Texas Cities who have dealt with this will be putting up the fight as well...
Several are probably praying the laws change to adapt to the birds. Since the birds have adapted to residential areas vs. the undeveloped areas.

The Migratory Bird Workshop

Here is the link for the workshop the City of Carrollton and the Neighborhood Advisory Committee put on for the citizens. I am happy with what I have seen so far and am hopeful for the future.

Now the laws need to be changed to protect the people...

Migratory Bird Workshop - City of Carrollton

Migratory Bird Workshop

The City of Carrollton is putting on a workshop to inform the citizens of what can happen if the birds roost.
They also have sent emails to warn the other cities when we chase them out of ours...

What is up in the trees...

Well there are still a lot of nest up in the trees. We have had several storms in the area and not much nest fall. There are sticks that litter the ground which are white because they are covered in poo. Who knows what is still up there...dead...bugs...ewh...

Our street...

We walked through the neighborhood and the yards still have feathers and the streets are stained. It is looking better but still shows the scars of what we went through for months.

The workshop is coming up soon and the City is planning to be proactive for next year.

We are gearing up for the fight we will be having on our hands next year.

The Workshop

Well it is getting closer to the workshop. I hope people will heed the information and warnings they will be given. The birds will not be in our neighborhood next year so they will go somewhere else.

Heronry or Rookery

The officials keep calling what we had a heronry instead of a rookery. Has anyone bothered to look at the definition?

Heronry - the breeding place of a colony of herons

Rookery - a breeding ground for gregarious birds

They need to call it what it is a Rookery!

It is amazing...

It is amazing how many people do not know about the problems the birds create. The "bird lovers" use fear as a weapon. Neighborhoods that are suffering are kept quite due to this weapon. I can not find any stories on Balch Springs. Their neighborhood was infested like ours and their City wasn't even picking up the dead!

The birds are moving into more and more residential areas due to the lack of predators. It has already been proven that a close water source really is not a factor. The birds in Balch Springs were two miles away from the nearest water source. The birds in Carrollton flew in every night from Lake Lewisville not the pond at the end of the street.

The streets don't look clean...

After the rains the streets look worse. It's like the rain soaked the poo out of the street. There are white spots where all the birds were again...the smell is back too.

Add a couple of more City's to the list

I found out Balch Springs had a problem this year. The City was not even picking up the fallen ones at all. Mexia has also had problems with rookeries....

The City listened...

They are working on having a contingency plan in place for next year and many more...

A Migratory Bird Workshop will be held for the entire city, they are training their employees to look out for the citizens, they are going to look for neighborhoods that could be at risk and warn them...

I am very happy that they have listened and are taking action.

Next get the law changed and the Cattle Egret removed from being protected.

The Nest...

We are still waiting on the "all clear" to remove the nest from the trees. The residents of the neighborhood have been getting bids for the removal.

I wonder what is up there still in the trees that we do not know about? We will find out soon...

The Nest Count is...

We went through the neighborhood and counted the nest that are still in the trees. Several have already blown out due to storms and high winds. We did not include these in our numbers.

Chamberlain = 931

Addington = 270

Total = 1201

So the numbers go:
2 Adult Birds will lay 4 Eggs which will hatch 2 Chicks = 4 Birds / 2 Eggs

2 Breeding Cycles adds 4 more Eggs which will add 2  more Chicks  = 2 Birds / 2 Eggs

plus the Late Comers
2 Adult Birds will lay 4 Eggs which will hatch 2 Chicks = 4 Birds / 2 Eggs

So the total per nest would be 4 Adults / 6 Chicks / 6 Eggs

This means on two streets we had:
4804 Adult Birds
7206 Chicks
7206 Eggs on the ground

The City picked up a little over 700 birds which is about 10% of the birds which comes to 720.

The numbers are the numbers

New stories on the clean up

Carol Cavazos did a story on the clean up -

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/08/30/carrollton-neighborhood-close-to-cleaning-up-mess-from-egrets/

Sara Story did a story on the clean up -

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Carrollton-Cleans-Up-Bird-Mess--128829698.html

Diane Solis did a story on the clean up -

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/carrollton-farmers-branch/headlines/20110831-carrollton-begins-egret-cleanup.ece

The Streets and Sidewalks are cleaned

The City came out today and cleaned the streets and sidewalk today. The sidewalks look good but the streets are stained.

The news was out in force today documenting the process.

Here are some scarey numbers...

Bird	Average Eggs	Breeding Cycle	Chicks	Adults	Total per Nest
Cattle Egret	4	2	4	2	8
Snowy Egret	4	2	4	2	8
Great Egret	4	2	4	2	8
Great Blue Heron	4	2	4	2	8
Little Blue Heron	4	2	4	2	8
Little Green Heron	4	2	4	2	8
Yellow Crowned Night Heron	4	2	4	2	8
Black Crowned Night Heron	4	2	4	2	8

Going off the norm that the birds have two breeding cycles this means there was an average of 8 birds per nest. Only 1/2 the eggs will hatch and the remainder will end up on the ground.

Tony said he has 50 nest per tree which is a total of 150 nest. This means he had 1,200 birds in his trees this year and 600 eggs in his yard. We did however have what are called "late comers" which would add another 600 birds and another 300 eggs.

So if the numbers work out right here is what Tony had in just his yard:

   150 Nest

1,800 Birds

   900 Eggs

What was the total of the neighborhood?

Animal Services

Well Animal Services said they have only picked up three adult birds this week - no babies!

They have picked up over 700 birds out of our neighborhood. This is just what they have found not what lies decaying in yards or in the trees. The neighborhood strays are all fat and sassy from the free meals that have been running around the neighborhood.

These guys and gals deserve a commendation for the hard work they have put in for our neighborhood. They put themselves at risk daily picking up the fallen.

The cleaning begins...

Well since the number of birds has  lowered we can start cleaning up after them. Everything has been covered with droppings, regurgitation, feathers and dead things.

It will be nice to get back to some semblance of a normal life. There has been no outdoor activities since March due to the birds.

There was another news article on the neighborhood regarding the infestation:
http://www.scntx.com/articles/2011/08/27/carrollton_leader/news/985.txt

The city's Neighborhood Advisory Committee is putting on a information session regarding the birds in November. I don't want all the responsibility for preventing this from happening again to fall to the residents. The City needs to step up and assist with prevention as well. They can train their employees to start looking and warn residents.

We are going to have a fight on our hands next year to make sure we do not go through this again...

Only a few left...

There are only a few birds left in the trees at night. Once they are gone we can clean up the streets. We still need to get the City to agree to let USFW to deter the birds from the entire city.

Wait...what is that...

Is that what I think it is? The sweet sounds of silence? I don't hear a thousand birds in the trees anymore. You don't feel like you have hit a brick wall of odor when you go outside. You can park your car out front again. We are nearing the end and the clean up can begin.

The dead are starting to fall...

Well at least some of them. Did you know that dead birds break apart when they hit the ground? I didn't, but I do now...

The Weather Channel and Washington DC

Well we made it to Washington DC or at least on a blog about our neighborhood.

http://www.wjla.com/blogs/weather/2011/08/texas-city-losing-the-battle-of-the-egrets-video--12398.html

Where are the bird lovers???

We have heard so many times that everyone is afraid to do anything because of the out cry of the bird lovers. So where have they been?

Have they been coming to the neighborhood to rescue the many fallen? The answer to this question would be a resounding NO.

Have they shown up at any City Council meetings to make sure they do nothing to endanger the birds? The answer to this question would also be a resounding NO.

Have they answered any emails in our pleas for help not only for ourselves but for the birds? The answer to this question would also be a resounding NO.

The only negative comments I have seen are from the individuals who are sitting in their nice clean neighborhood surfing the net. They have no idea what it is like to live in a rookery, the smell, the disease, the dead things everywhere. They have no right to comment as far as I am concerned.

I have not seen any true bird lovers come to the rescue of the fallen...I have not seen them at all.

In honor of school starting again...What I learned this summer

I have learned how to tell the difference between all the Heron and Egret species that have taken roost in our neighborhood.

I have learned the nesting habits of the Heron and Egrets.

I have learned that a nesting area of Heron and Egrets is called a rookery.

I have learned the definition of rookery is also what the slums of London were called in Victorian times. Living in a rookery is like living in a slum.

I have learned about all the debris that comes with a Rookery such as droppings, regurgitation, broken eggs, dead fish, dead frogs, dead snakes, dead birds, twigs and insects.

I have learned about the different stages of decay of the debris in a rookery.

I have learned that dead birds will hang and decay in the trees.

I have learned the impact of over 40 days of 100 degree temperatures on a rookery. It bakes everything.

I have learned the impact of constant traffic on the debris in a rookery. It creates a powder that becomes airborne and coats everything.

I have learned about all the diseases associated with a rookery.

I have learned about the environmental impact of a rookery. It kills all vegetation under the nest and the air is un-breathable.

I have learned where Denton County Health stands in regards to the health of their residents. They deemed it a personal heath risk. They have no concern for the safety or health of the residents.

I have learned that the CDC is a regulatory agency. They will happily send you documents regarding the diseases.

I have learned that TCEQ will not get involved if there is a federally protected bird creating the problem.

I have learned that FEMA will not get involved if there is a federally protected bird creating the problem.

I have learned that the EPA Environmental Justice will not get involved if there is a federally protected bird creating the problem.

I have learned that TPW is not the agency that handles the Federally Protected Birds. They will refer you to USFW

I have learned that USFW is the agency that is responsible for the birds but can only follow policies and issue permits.

I have learned that USDOI is the agency that sets the policies regarding the birds. There stance is to let the individuals suffer and tell you to consider the birds.

I have learned that this has been allowed to go on for over 30 years which is to long.

I have learned that this is not happening just in Texas but Oklahoma and Arkansas. Why have the states not banned together to get this resolved for their residents?

I have learned people have lost their business and homes because of the birds.

I have learned that people have lost their lives and health because of the birds.

I have learned that the Cattle Egret is not from this continent. Why is it listed as a protected species?

I have learned that it is endangering species from this continent by eating them. It is creating this problem in Hawaii and California. Why has no one reached out to these states to get the law changed and protect the native species?

I have learned the Cattle Egret is a problem at commercial as well as military airports. Why has no one reached out to get assistance in getting the law changed?

I have learned that it is listed globally as an invasive species. It is causing problems on all the continents it has spread to.

I have learned that USDA\APHIS made recommendations in July 1991 to USFW regarding changing the status of the Cattle Egret. The recommendations were for population control to be conducted and laws and treaties changed.

I have learned about the Mute Swan which is another species that is not from this continent. It was removed from being a protected species due to the environmental and economic impact it was creating.

75% of the birds in our trees were Cattle Egrets. If they were not protected we would not have had as many birds. The native species might not have even roosted in our neighborhood if they would have had space in their natural habitat.

This is what I have learned this summer…

Follow up story by NBC 5

The news came out and did a follow up story regarding our neighborhood.


http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Carrollton-Plans-Egret-Clean-Up-127903118.html

Friends were in the area

Some friends of ours were in the neighborhood and wanted to stop by and visit. Unfortunately due to their immune system and the current conditions in the neighborhood I had to tell them no. I did not feel comfortable having them over knowing what disease are in our neighborhood.

The decomposing birds in the yards and trees. The fact the birds are not tested for salmonella since they are known carriers. The fact it has all baked in over 40 days of over 100 degree heat. Pulverized by constant traffic down the street daily. As one neighbor put it "powdered chicks".

I could not in good conscience have anyone come over to our home on purpose. I have not had any friends or family over since March/April. How sad is that...

The streets have been cleaned...

Only by God...we finally have gotten rain! After 40 days of over 100 degree heat, several months of accumulation of debris we get a little break. There is still droppings on everything since it was baked on from the heat. It is just not as much right now. We still have birds in the nest so we can't do anything until they are gone. Hopefully by the end of September they will be gone and the clean up can begin.

The dead aren't falling...

There are currently 5 dead birds in the trees just on our street. This is what we can see from the ground. How many more are decaying up in the trees that can't be seen? Once again how is this not a health risk?

Is the Goverment Slum Lords?

Is the goverment slum lords? If you look up the defination of rookery it is what the slums were called in Victorian London. The Rookery that has been out my front door makes my neighborhood feel like we are living in a slum. The noise from the birds at dusk is loud. The odor from the droppings, regurgitation, dead birds, dead fish, dead snakes, dead frogs and broken eggs. The yards, sidewalks and streets are covered with it and have been since March. We have also had 39 days of over 100 degree weather to add to all of it.

Documents from Goverment Agencies regarding Cattle Egrets

This was writer is from the US Department of Agriculture / Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service / ADC - which is who USFW report to. Their own officers states: The USFWS needs to recognized the economic, health and nuisance problems created by this invading species and consider management operation including population reduction as well as changes in treaties, laws and polices. It was written in 1991!

http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1177&context=icwdmprobe

Here is another one written by USDA regarding invasive species

 

12 Invasive Predators: a synthesis of the past,

present, and future

“…if all the animals and plants of Great Britain were set free in New

Zealand, a multitude of British forms would over the course of time

become thoroughly naturalized there, and would exterminate many of the

natives.” Darwin 1872

William C. Pitt

1

Station, P.O. Box 10880, Hilo, Hawaii 96721;

National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins,

Colorado 80521

12.3.2 Birds - Cattle Egrets

1 and Gary W. Witmer2USDA/APHIS/WS, National Wildlife Research Center, Hawaii Field2USDA/APHIS/WS,

Poor dumb people...

Poor dumb people who care more for the birds than the humans. They think because of what the City of Carrollton did in 1998 that the birds had to find another place to roost.

Here's a question - where have they been since 1999? It was not in my neighborhood so this is not their natural habitat.

The Cattle Egret is an INVASIVE species World-wide. Why is it classified as naturalized and allowed to destroy our Continent? What a bright idea from USFW/DOI.

The birds do not belong in a residential area - it's not good for humans or birds.

Another neighborhood is hit...

Here is another neighborhood that has been impacted by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/A-Dallas-Neighborhoods-Fowl-Problem-126938813.html

The neighborhood has gone to the birds...

I wish I would have had a video camera last night. There were so many babies running around the neighborhood Animal Services came out three times. They bagged six in net on one of the neighbors entryway. When they caught all the ones they could the see and pulled down the street all the ones that were hiding came out.

Some of the other neighbors have been calling Animal Control to pick up the birds.

The fallen have taken to the streets

Well since the neighbor quit calling Animal Services for every fallen bird they are now wandering the streets and alley's. There are a few dead on the streets as well as in the canopy. Email's have been sent to the Audubon Society with no response.

Found out the City Attorney told the Council not to vote to help us or they would be liable. No one is going to do anything until the birds are gone.

The trees look deceiving...

Well the experts think the birds will only be in the trees another 2 to 4 weeks. I think the experts are wrong there are still babies. The young in the trees that are falling out still have down on them.

They all come out and look at the nest during the day. To get the full impact they really need to come out in the evening. That is when they have all come back for the evening to roost.

The neighbor who had been calling Animal Control to pick up the fallen birds has thrown in the towel. He will no longer be calling so there are several young wandering the neighborhood. It really changes your perspective when you are forced to live in this situation.

Second thoughts on picking up the phone...

How sad is it when you have second thoughts on picking up the phone to call Animal Control. If it is one of the 10% who live it is one more you will have to fight next year. If you don't call that will be one less to fight off next year.

One of the adults had been hit and was dead in the middle of the road. Someone asked how do you miss such a big bird. I told them you don't. After you have had to live in a situation like this for months it really changes your attitude.

28 days over 100 and counting

We have officially hit 28 days of over 100 degrees! There are more to come. The official temperature on Wens is suppose to be 107.

What kind of impact is this having on the birds? What kind of impact is this having on the debris the birds have created?

It pretty much bakes the droppings on anything they are on. It is also prime weather for some bacteria and fungus cooking.

How is this not a public health risk?

A problem for 30 years...

In doing some more research I have found out that the birds have been a problem in residential areas for over 30 years. US Fish and Wildlife Services have let these birds reside in residential neighborhoods for years uncontested. This has been costing US Tax Payers thousands of dollars in cleaning supplies, water bills, medical cost and some individuals their homes, businesses and lives.

A few birds show up in a suburban neighborhood and the residents have no clue what is about to happen next. Then more birds show up, then a few more birds show up until the trees are full. The residents plead to the City and County for help only to be told "the birds are protected." The residents reach out to the State Wildlife Services only to be told "the birds are protected."

Then you reach out to USFWS only to find out since they have laid eggs you are to late. You might be one of the lucky ones who finds out early enough to file a permit. However by the time it gets approved it is to late since they have already laid eggs.

Next you get to hear about how they won't be there for that long. It will feel like a extremely long summer because as the days wear on and the debris accumulates you will no longer be able to go outside. You will also hear that they will be gone in August. According to all the documentation I can find from reliable sources they will not leave until late September or early October.

You will also be told to consider the birds they do add a benefit to the environment or they lost their natural habitat. This is all a lie to try and make them feel better about putting you in a bad situation. A majority of the birds will be Cattle Egrets. They are from Africa and have no natural predator in the United States. In some states they have become the predator endangering natural species.

The law and regulations need to be changed so no one else needs has to suffer through this ever again.

The City's that I know have been impacted by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918:

Carrollton, TX 1998, 2005, 2011
Royse City, TX 2011
Ennis, TX 2011
North Dallas, TX 2011
San Antonio, TX 2011
Taylor, TX 2010
Cedar Hill, TX 2010
Pleasant Grove, TX 2010
Wichita Falls, TX 2009
The Woodlands, TX
Van Buren, AR

How is this right?

Everyone keeps tell me it is up to my City and County to help me out. All they are doing is picking up the dead and injured birds. The City Manager has gone from being "committed to clean the streets" to "he might clean the streets".

Don't the citizens pay his check? Isn't he suppose to do what is best for the citizens of the city he works for? Isn't he given his post by the Mayor and Council? Aren't the Mayor and Council citizens? Aren't the Mayor and Council elected by citizens?

Falling from the trees...

I just called Animal Control to pick up two birds, one live baby and one dead juvenile. Two more babies fell while he was en route. Then we noticed another one that was running around in the alley.

He picked up the dead one out of the street, two more out of the grass we didn't see and four live birds.

Now I just looked out front and there is another dead one on the sidewalk and a live one that fell while I was looking.

How is this a good situation for the birds? How is this a good situation for people? Is it because it is out of site and out of mind? They get to go home to nice, clean, quite neighborhoods and we get to live in the bottom of an aviary.

Sounds of the neighborhood

Here is a video my husband did at dusk. This is after most of the birds have returned for the night. Take a listen to what we have had to hear every night since March. Take note of the spots in the trees that look like webs - each one is a nest. The white stuff floating is not bugs it is feathers. Wouldn't you like to wake up to this everyday? We have two to three more months of this to go...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsH4t6kaxWI

Why do the birds have more rights than the people?

Why do the birds have more rights than the people? I am asking this question because this year my neighborhood was invaded by Heron and Egrets. The beautiful 37 year old oak trees that canopy our streets are infested with several hundred birds. We have been prisoners in our own homes since May and the birds are not supposed to leave until late September or October.

In February and early March there were just a few. Then in April the numbers grew as well as the neighbors’ concerns. We started calling the City of Carrollton asking for help with the birds. We were told there was nothing that could be done the birds are protected. One neighbor was told to “get a hose and have a good time.” Another neighbor told a City representative he could not go out and check his mail barefoot anymore. He was told “go get some shoes”.

The neighborhood kept calling asking for help and the response was a pamphlet from Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) titled Nuisance Heronries and a letter left on our doors. In the pamphlet the last sentence of the first paragraph states: “However, this beauty and concern for population well-being cannot completely over shadow other management needs in certain circumstances where these birds strongly conflict with human needs.” This sentence is also quoted in the letter from the City and on their website.

The second paragraph in the pamphlet list several diseases the birds are known carriers of such as psittacosisornithosis, histoplasmosis, encephalitis and arbovirus. We then contacted the Denton County Health Department concerned for our health. An Epidemiologist was then sent out to evaluate our neighborhood. We were advised by Dr Bing Burton the Director for Denton County Health that our neighborhood was not a public health risk. It is “considered a personal health risk like smoking or being overweight. “

We were asking the City to clean the streets if there was nothing we could do about the birds. They told us they could not clean the streets due to the high level of nitrates in the bird’s droppings. They said if the droppings went into the storm drains which emptied into the pond it would kill the fish. They would be fined by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). So I called TCEQ and spoke with a representative who contacted the City on our behalf. They advised the City on how they could safely clean the streets. I did ask what the difference was between the rains washing the nitrates into the pond vs. a person. It is considered a natural occurrence so no one would be fined.

The City then said they could not clean the streets because if a bird fell out of the trees they would be fined. I contacted TPW who advised me what I could do next year and to call the County Game Warden. The County Game Warden then advised me what I could do next year and to contact the local office for US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFW).  I contacted the local office for USFW and spoke to Adam Henry.  He advised me what I can do next year. He called the City on our behalf to advise them it was okay to clean the streets. The intent is to clean the streets not to harm the birds. If they were really concerned they could file for a depredation permit or ask for him to be around when they cleaned the streets.

A majority of the birds are Cattle Egrets which are considered a parasitic bird. This means they will push the eggs of another out of the nest to lay their own. The siblings will also push each other out of the nest to get more food. Our streets and yards are littered with broken eggs. Animal Services have picked up over 500 birds in our neighborhood that have fallen from the nest. A majority of these birds have been dead and out of the live ones only 10% survive. This is only the birds that have been found. It does not take into account the ones that are decaying hidden in yards and landscaping. Nor does it take into account the ones that have been carried off by local strays or wildlife. The birds are also known carriers of salmonella which they spread to each other in close contact. According to the document from USGS National Wildlife Health Center they are showing the classic signs for this disease. It also helps contribute to the high chick mortality rate.

Due to the high number of birds the dander and feathers in the air make it look like the neighborhood is filled with Cottonwood trees. Yards, roofs, pools and anything outside is covered with the dander and feathers. The ammonia levels due to the bird droppings are overwhelming. It burns your eyes, sinus and throat in both the front and back yards. I contacted the Texas State Department of Health Services regarding my concern. Several of the residents are having respiratory issues that are not normal for them. I received a call back from Juan Rodriquez the Epidemiologist with Denton County that had evaluated our neighborhood. I advised him I was going to the Doctor for my sinuses over the weekend. He said he would call me back and follow up, which has never happened. I then called TCEQ regarding the air quality in our neighborhood. I received a call back and was told since the problem is being created by a federally protected bird I needed to reach out to my City or County for help. There was nothing they could do for us.

We were told by the City that several others communities have dealt with the very difficult conditions our neighborhood is experiencing. A news article we were sent by a City official talked about a home in Oklahoma and a business in Waco that had to be abandoned because of the birds. There are currently Heronries or Rookeries in our front yard, Ennis, Royse City and San Antonio, TX. Last year they were in the cities of Pleasant Grove and Taylor, TX. OSHA has a specific document for cleaning bird droppings and the proper gear to wear. There are CDC documents regarding the diseases the birds carry. In Oklahoma there is a document advising the proper gear to wear when in a rookery. The agents for USFW are tested yearly for histoplasmosis. There is documentation of people falling ill or dying from being in or near rookeries.

These birds roosting in or near neighborhoods have been a problem for well over 30 years. The Cattle Egrets are originally from Africa. Since they flew from South America to North America they are considered naturalized by USFW. There are no natural predators for the birds so there numbers keep growing. There is even an article in Berkley California regarding Cattle Egrets eating a native species where its status is now listed as threatened. The other Herons and Egrets that are natural species are losing out on valuable natural habitats in having to share with a species that does not belong.

I have written the our State Representatives, the Governor, Senators, Congressman, Directors only to get letters back stating sorry the birds are protected. I do not understand why hard working Americans are expected to sacrifice their health, business and homes for the birds. It is extremely hard to watch all you have worked so hard for being damaged. I do not think the intention of law by our forefathers was to put citizens at risk.

Why are you expected to put your families’ health at risk daily with diseases that are not curable and sometimes fatal? Why is it okay to leave a roost in the middle of a residential neighborhood? I have been unable to get answers to these questions. This situation should not be allowed to happen to anyone. I am amazed that the problem has been allowed to go on for so long that it is considered the “norm”. There is nothing that is the “norm” about have several hundred birds out your front door.

Emails from the City Manager

We keep getting reply emails back from the City Manager that they are doing everything they can for the residence of our neighborhood. We do appreciate the representatives from Animal Control putting their health at risk daily in picking up the dead birds. We really would appreciate our streets to be cleaned to give us some relief. Since we were misinformed by individuals who know what the federal laws are from dealing with the birds in 1998, 2005 and on their own personal property. The least they could do is clean the streets to give us some relief from the ammonia.

We keep getting told that many other citizens in different cities have endured this hardship before. That doesn't make it right or mean that we should have to suffer too.

This City Manager is more worried about his paycheck and raises than the Citizens of the City he is suppose to serve. Just my opinion...I am sure there are others who would agree with me though.

DFW Urban Wildlife

This article was written on our neighborhood. We did not solicit this, it is very well written and the pictures speak for themselves.

http://dfwurbanwildlife.com/2011/07/18/journal/july-18-2011-chamberlain-drive-rookery-death-toll/

Street Cleaning

Turns out the City of Carrollton did have a Power washing Company hired to clean our streets. They cancelled them though when they found out a City Employee/Vendor became ill two years ago cleaning bird droppings.

I had a feeling the letter they left on our doors early June with the Haz Mat instructions was prompted by someone falling ill. My suspicions have been confirmed.

Question: If it is not okay to put City Employees/Vendors in harms way why is it OK to put us?

So far 16 days of over 100 Degree Heat

The birds started showing up late February early March. The numbers grew in April and have continued to grow. They are now on round two of babies.

Keep in mind a majority of them are gone during the day and return at night. Think about it we have 5 months worth of accumulation of droppings, regurgitation, broken eggs, dead fish, dead frogs, dead snakes and the occasional missed bird by Animal Services. Now add in 16 days of over 100 degree Texas heat.

You can't go out front, you can't go out back, you are a prisoner in your own home. You just hope the seals on your home hold so it does not come inside.

But remember boys and girls, according to Dr Bing Burton from Denton County Health this is a choice - like smoking or being overweight.

Email from the Office for Migratory Birds

Please tell me what sense this makes - I have to take the birds into consideration for loosing their natural habitat. Really! The Cattle Egrets have not lost their natural habitat - they don't belong. They were either brought over by a Rancher who thought it was a good idea or they hitched a ride on a Transatlantic Ship. They have no natural predators here - as a matter of fact they are preying on a natural bird species in California which is being threatened. They are also pushing out the Heron and Egrets that do belong here.

Here's a thought - there might be enough natural habitat for the species that do belong if the Cattle Egret was not here. Just saying...

Animal Control

This is too funny not to post...the Animal Control Officer was called out tonight to pick up some stragglers that have fallen out of the nest. Since the Egrets come back at night to roost there are alot of them in the trees. He is on our street in a rain slicker with the hood up!

Dr Tuggle's Office with USFWS

I received a call today from Jerry at Dr. Tuggles office. He said they need our address so they could send a letter. I asked him if it was another "sorry sucks for you there is nothing we can do letter". It is...

I told him about the number of birds that have been picked up off the street. This was cruel and unusual punishment. The fact we can't go outside with mask - we are prisoners in our own homes.
I told him I knew there was a grant to pay for the USFWS Agent to come out and scare them off next year. Why is there no grant to clean up after them? If we are forced to live with them which is not our choice why do we have to pay to clean up after them? Why do we have to absorb the cost for something that has been forced on us??

and the numbers are...

Did I mention we are about to hit the 500 mark? That is the number of birds that have been picked up off the streets. We are currently at 476 birds - a majority of them were dead. It really is 477 because now there is a dead one in the alley. I am unsure if he fell out of the tree in back or wandered into the alley.

Isn't it great what we are currently living with? This is just the babies that have fallen out of the trees - there are still several more up in the trees.

FEMA

I tried calling FEMA today to see if they could provide any assistance. Well it is a Federally protected bird that is creating the disaster in my neighborhood.

Guess what answer I got...there is another law that makes this outside their jurisdiction.

What a surprise...NOT!

On to the next goverment agency to see what other kind of answer I can get.

City Council Meeting 07/12/11

Here's what I said tonight...

Good Evening Mayor, Council and City Staff. I am here again tonight to speak about the bird infestation of our neighborhood. We have spent yet another summer outdoor holiday prisoners in our own homes.

I emailed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding the air quality in our neighborhood. The ammonia levels due to the bird droppings are overwhelming. High levels of ammonia are hazardous to humans, especially with prolonged exposure. It can cause nausea, headaches, eye and skin irritation, fatigue, breathing issues and trigger migraines. Alisa Taylor called me back and stated because the problem was created by a federally protected bird it would fall to the City or our County Health Department to assist us.

I also left a message for Dr. Shelly Stonecipher with the Texas Department of State Health Services regarding the air quality issue in our neighborhood. I then received a call back from Juan Rodriguez with the Denton County Health Department. I advised him several of the residence are experiencing respiratory problems. The dander and feathers in the air from the birds make it look like we have Cottonwood trees. I advised him I was going to see my Doctor Saturday due to my sinuses. He told me he would call me back Monday to follow up.

I have a sinus infection with a sore inside my nose which I have never had before. I have also had a migraine for over a week. I never received a call back from Mr. Rodriguez which only confirms again that our cries and pleas for help are falling on deaf ears.

I am quite frankly amazed at the lack of help or concern for the residence of our neighborhood. Everyone seems to be more concerned with the bird's rights over the tax paying citizens rights. Most of the birds aren't even supposed to be here - they are and invasive species. Everyone keeps hiding behind a law that was not intended to cause harm to humans.

In the pamphlet you left on our doors from Texas Parks and Wildlife the last sentence of the first paragraph states: However, this beauty and concern for population well being cannot completely overshadow other management needs in certain circumstances where these birds strongly conflict with human needs.

I still don't understand how our current situation does not strongly conflict with human needs. How is extreme amount of droppings, regurgitation, broken eggs, fish, frogs, snakes, dead birds and insects not conflicting? Our current living situation is quite frankly cruel and unusual punishment.

I want to leave you with a quote from Edmund Burke to think about tonight when you go home to your nice clean and quite neighborhood. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

Punishment...

Our current living situation is cruel and unusual punishment.

We are being punished since our neighborhood doesn't have the $250k and up homes.

We are being punished since our neighborhood doesn't have high voter turn out for Municipal Elections.

We are being punished due to the income demographics for the neighborhood.

We are being punished for being hard working, tax paying citizens.

We are being punished for being foolish enough to believe our City or Goverment officals would help us.

Baby Heron

Well we have two of the baby Heron who keep trying to fish in the pool. Good thing they can fly or they would be dog toys. The pool and yard look horrible with all the feathers.

A friend told me with out me saying it "you guys are prisoners in your own homes". Why are our rights being overlooked for a bird that is an invasive species?

TCEQ's position on the Air Quality in our neighborhood

Well I received a call today from a woman at the TCEQ in charge of air quality. Guess what they are hiding behind? You guessed it - the birds! Because the problem is being generated by birds which are federally protected it is out of their hands. She had spoke with Scott Hudson and they are doing everything they can for us. I told her they City is not helping us they keep hiding behind the law that protects the birds. She said I could appeal to our County Health Officials. I advised her they are not helping us either they are stating this is a personal health risk not a public (like smoking or being overweight per the director). I am so frustrated that everyone keeps hiding behind this law.

What about the people? The @#$% birds are not even from here, they don't belong. Why are they protected? There are articles about people having to abandon their homes because of these birds. When is it going to be enough?

A little light reading on the effects of Ammonia on Humans

Inhalation of large quantities of ammonia causes immediate burning of the throat, respiratory tract and nose. As a person is exposed to larger quantities of ammonia, he or she may start to feel lightheaded and faint. Ammonia levels less than 1ppm (part per million) are deemed harmless. Levels greater than 25ppm cause nausea and headaches. Breathing in concentrations of ammonia greater than 300ppm can lead to death.

Excessive exposure to ammonia causes eye and skin irritation

 

Individuals with weak immune systems, allergies, asthma and other health conditions--such as migraines--are especially susceptible to the risks associated with ammonia inhalation. Low concentrations of ammonia (50ppm) also cause rapid eye and skin irritation. Prolonged exposure to a higher concentration of ammonia may cause permanent eye damage--or blindness--and skin burns. Children are most at risk for eye and skin problems resulting from ammonia inhalation due to their lower body-weight ratio as compared to adults.

Inhalation ammonia causes tracheal burns, nasopharyngeal, alveolar edema, bronchiolar edema and airway damage--leading to respiratory distress or malfunction. Continual ammonia inhalation causes olfactory adaptation and fatigue. Presence of low levels of ammonia is difficult to detect accurately, delaying corrective action and medical care till serious damage has set in. Asphyxiation results in enclosed areas or those that are poorly ventilated.

Inhaling small to medium quantities of ammonia causes cough, phlegm and leads to shortness of breath. Inhalation of ammonia irritates the airways of the lungs, making it difficult for an individual to breathe easily. Coughs that bring up phlegm are an indication of a respiratory infection.

I wonder what the levels are outside???

Happy 4th of July

I called the non-emergency line due to the fact there were 3 dead and 1 live bird. The operator tells me that no one will be out due to the holiday. Really! So we get to spend the holiday with dead birds out front. She said yes. I fired off a email to the City Staff and Council regarding my call to the non emergency line.

I went out front to take pictures of the birds and the Animal Control Officer showed up. He said the operator was wrong he is one of the officers who is scheduled to come down the street twice a day. He picked up the dead birds and the live one too. There is already another one who has fallen from the tree...

Ammonia...

Here's something I am unsure if anyone has thought about. What effect is the ammonia in the bird droppings having on air quality? From what I am reading it can burn your eyes, sinus and esophagus.

The white part of the bird droppings is the ammonia. It is how their digestion works. Once again how is this not a public health threat?

Round two of babies...

I do not care what the "experts" say about the @#$% birds only have one set of babies. They are working on round two and they have started falling again. I told them they were still building nest.

What is it going to take to get someone to realize the people are more important than the birds? I truly believe it is because of our income level, municipal voter turn out and the neighborhood demographic.

4th of July Weekend

This is the 4th of July weekend. A national holiday to celebrate our independence. Everyone gets together, swims, BB Q's and several other outdoor activities. For my family it has always been a big celebration.

Not so much this year...we can't go out front. We can barley go out in the back yard. The pool has a nice layer of feathers. The yard is covered in feathers. I have to wear a mask when I am outside. The stench from the birds can be smelled in the back yard. I am terrified my dogs are going to get sick but they have to go to the bathroom.

The City of Carrollton should be ashamed of themselves for forcing us to live like this...it is hazardous to our health and property. I will not be someone who goes away quietly and they will be reminded of this for years to come.

I wonder...

Do you think the Mayor, Council and City Manager would trade houses for the holiday weekend? How about it? They can stay in a house where you can't go outside with a mask on, the smell is horrible, you can't swim in the pool, you put your health in constant risk daily.

Why won't anyone help? Why are we being forced to live like this for some birds?

They are still here...

Well the birds are still here and the numbers are growing. I am really developing a dislike for these birds.

The Doctor's Visit...

Well got a shot for the sinus infection and am now on antibiotics. They also took blood to test for any diseases from the birds. I should have the results in about 10 days. I was also advised by the Doctor that any time I am outside to wear a mask.

Once again...why do the damn birds have more rights than tax paying citizens?

Going to the Doctor

I had sinus surgery last year to help keep me from having sinus issues. My face is currently swollen, sinus burning and starting to get a migraine. Oh the joys of living in a rookeries...did the sarcasm come through?

We are just incurring more and more expenses due to these birds.

Our water bill has gone up since I have to rinse the back yard of droppings every night. We rinse the sidewalks, trees and mailbox out front every other week. I have gone through more tape and Press N Seal covering the mailbox. I have flip flops and an umbrella I am going to have to throw away once the birds are gone. We are going through more than normal alchol, hand sanitizer, mask and Lysol. We have had to make trips to the Doctor we would normally not have to make and prescriptions.

When they are gone we have to have the tree's trimmed and put up all kinds of devices to try and keep them away next year.

There are several people in this neighborhood who are on fixed incomes. We all know in the summer your bills go up due to the heat. To have them go up for birds that are not even endangered and a invasive species is just ridiculous.

Sent a request to Washington...

Well found a couple of email addresses and sent a request for help to Washington. No one should have to live like this...you can't go out front with out a mask on due to the stench and feathers. The back yard is getting bad too...

Feathers...

The feathers floating through the air is just simply amazing. It looks like the neighborhood is full of Cottonwood Trees. Several of the neighbors are having respiratory issues due to the droppings and feathers.

This is just not good. No one  should have to live like this...the law needs changed.

City Hall...

Well we went and spoke again tonight at City Hall. The tone has changed, we still would like for the streets to be cleaned by someone other than God (not knocking the free water and street cleaning). The death toll is now up to around 75 and over 100 have been picked up total.

The law needs to be changed so they can be thinned out. The population is just to great for all the locations I have found out about so far.

They are in Carrollton, Dallas, Royce City, Ennis and San Antonio...

Here comes some rain...

Well there is rain in the forecast for the next two nights. This is the only way the streets will be cleaned while the birds are here. There are still more birds coming in building new nest.

September and October is a long way away...

The stench outside tonight hurt my chest. I couldn't stay outside to long.

The birds keep falling...

I am just amazed at the number of birds that have fallen from the trees. Seven were picked up just today by the afternoon. There are also more birds still coming in building nest and this is only June. We still have to make it to September....

Other Heroniries or Rookeries currently in Texas

I have found that there is currently a problem with these birds in Royce City and Ennis where they are in a populated area. There is also another that is in the middle of the San Antonio Zoo.

Why is the Cattle Egret protected? This is a invasive species that is destroying our trees. They will come back to the same area over and over even after the trees are gone. There is a area in a park in Carrollton designated a "natural area" where it is left to grow wild. This is not because they are trying to show and preserve the natural beauty. This is because they can not disturb the ground due to the bird droppings.

What sense does it make to protect the birds who don't even belong and make the people suffer...

Our Pool and Mailbox

Take a look at the feathers floating in the pool. This is a daily occurrence not to mention how they cover the yard and roof.

Here is what it looks like out front. I do not think this was the intention of the law created by our forefathers...

How sad is it that we have to live like this?

Since we are getting no relief from the birds we have had to change a few things. Our mailbox now has Glad Press and Seal on it to try and save it from the extreme amount of bird droppings. I have spray bottles filled with alcohol hand sanitizer and Lysol by each door. Outside the front door is flip flops and umbrella we can throw away once the birds leave. I also have particle mask for when we go out front to check the mail.

Last time I checked I lived in Texas. Why am I living like this? Oh yeah. The City Manager and Environmental Services do not have a program in place to keep Heron and Egrets from roosting in neighborhoods. Oh, correct that there is a plan in place if you live in a $250k and up neighborhood. If you are under that you are on your own.

Why is there no contigency plan in place?

Why does the City of Carrollton not have a contingency plan in place to make sure Heron and Egrets do not nest in or near residential neighborhoods? This question really bothers me. The Woodlands has a plan. Van Buren AR has a plan. Why do we not?

You would think after the "bone head" decision by someone to plow down the Rookery in 1998 and moving another one  in 2005 their would be. The City Manager himself took steps to keep them from nesting in the trees at his lake house.

Why was there nothing in place to protect the citizens? There are several individuals in our neighborhood who have respiratory issues. The dander from the birds is outrageous. The smell is overwhelming. The diseases they carry are numerous.

I think we need a explanation as to why and what they will do for the future...don't you?

We went and voted today...

Well we went out and participated in early voting today for the two open spots on the City Council. We made our voice heard!

The birds are still in the trees creating a health risk and destroying property. Thank goodness we covered the mailbox with Press N Seal. It is SO gross! We will not be getting mail by the end of the month. I don't even want to touch the mailbox.

The smell is horrible and will only get worse with the hotter it gets. Animal Control has us on a rotation two times a day. They miss some of the birds since they blend in with the droppings.

I also found out some other good information I am working on to help out the neighborhood and will provide details at a later date...

The Texas Commision on Enviromental Quality

Well I spoke with Sid with TCEQ regarding the water quality for our lake. He has spoken with the City and they know how they are suppose to clean the streets. If the rain washes it into the lake it is a natural occurrence. If we do it is a findable offense... how's that work?

So many birds

Spoke with a animal control officer and found out they have picked up over 17 live birds so far. They had to start taking them to another wildlife rescue because the first has been overwhelmed. I am unsure on this number but I think there has been around 50 dead so far.

There is still broken eggs, dead fish, regurgitation and droppings covering the streets. The City is holding steadfast that they will not clean the streets until the birds are gone. How wonderful...not!

We are being forced to be prisoners in our own homes due to birds. This is not what the Migratory Bird Treaty Act intended.

Shame on all the government officials who have let this happen. Remember what you put out there is what you get back...just saying.

Our opinion doesn't matter...

Some of our neighbors were just told by a candidate in the run off elections for City Council that the pulled the voter logs for our neighborhood. We did not have enough of a turn out to warrant help and our opinions did not matter. How wonderful is that? In the past the entire Council was recalled due to how they treated citizens. It may need to happen again. I thought because we were citizens we have a voice and our opinion matters. Can't wait for everyone to know...

More news coverage...

The Dallas Morning News article was in the paper today. It was the cover story in the metro section.

Channel 11 News Carol Cavazos also came out and did a news story that ran on the 10 o'clock news.

We spoke before the council and meet a few more of the neighbors. We received a notice on the door that they are going to clean the street when the birds are gone. It also had tips on how we could protect ourselves.

Does anyone in the City talk to each other or read what they put out???

I learned a new word yesterday...

Depredation. This is a well hidden secret on the US Fish and Wildlife Service's site. If you are having problems with nuisance birds this is the page for you.

Depredation permits are issued to allow the take of migratory birds which are causing serious damage to public or private property, pose a health or safety hazard, or are damaging agricultural crops or wildlife. For technical advice and information regarding hazing and harassment techniques, contract your local office of USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services. Should it be necessary to apply for a permit to kill a limited number of birds, documentation from their office that they have offered advice in the non-lethal control of birds is required as part of our application information. No permit is required merely to scare or herd depredation migratory birds other than endangered or threatened species or bald and golden eagles.

Found a couple more news articles on line

The Star - first news agency to get a hold of us
http://www.scntx.com/articles/2011/06/01/carrollton_leader/news/049.txt


DFW Urban Wildlife - don't know when they were in the neighborhood
http://dfwurbanwildlife.com/2011/06/02/journal/june-2-2011-chamberlain-drive-rookery-in-carrollton/

Yesterday's happening...

Well meet a couple of more our neighbor's yesterday. We had to do some work in the front yard and had to wear a mask the whole time. It is really bad out there...the smell is horrible. I also found a dead fish in my backyard. The trees are becoming bare, white and smelly.

These birds have got to go...they have no business being in a residential neighborhood. I can not belive our goverment officials keep hiding behind laws and forcing the tax paying citizens to live like this.

Got a letter...

Well I received a letter United States Senator John Cornyn. Impressed I got a hand signed letter back regarding my comments. Upset that the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act was mentioned again. I was told to call Linda Tschirhart-Hejl with Texas Parks and Wildlife.

I have already talked to her and know what I can do next year. It still does not help for this year...

Dr Bing Burton's comment still pisses me off...not a public health hazard but a personal one like smoking or being overweight. My personal choice was to get the birds out of my trees not live in a toxic neighborhood. We did not personal choose to be prisoners in our own homes. Karma is a bitch Dr Bing...

Today's happenings...

I received a call back from Kay Bailey Hutchinson's office asking for a email about the problem we are having. She will send it on the the United States Wildlife Services to see what can or may be done. Coach, Liz and Scott did a story with the Dallas Morning News.

I also found our story on a new station in Colorado! It was also on MSNBC...

Most of the comments on the news stories have been in our favor which is good. We want the streets cleaned and the birds gone!

More News Coverage...

Channel 33 News Story
http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-carrollton-neighboorhood-tired-of-the-poop--20110531,0,7605577.story

Channel 39 News Story
http://www.telemundodallas.com/Video/index.html

Regarding Health Issues

Well Mr. Bing Burton provided some clarity that the health issue on our street is not a public but a personal issue like smoking or being overweight. So glad for the clarity on that...not. We did not choose for these birds to be here and would move them if they were not federally protected. Why are they federally protected in my front yard? We did not encroch on their habitat they have encroched on ours. How can this not be a public health issue? It impacts the citizens, city workers, vendors and more...

Speaking of city workers they have been told if they are on our street, wear a hat, take a change of clothes, sanitaize your hands, don't scratch your eyes and shower afterwards. So this is not a public health issue it is a personal...OK....

We had a good meeting with the neighbors and hopefully will get the streets cleaned. That is the first thing we are wanting since we can't get rid of the birds. I am a animal lover but am really struggling with this...

Next is to make sure this does not happen to anyone else...

May 31st...

The day had started off as a good day...

Channel 5 did a live report from our street first thing in the morning. The poor girl was out front when all the birds were waking up and with the lovely (sarcasm) smell. The first thing she said was "I don't know who I made mad in the new room to get this assignment". We were rolling...

Linda Tschirhart who was one of the contributors to the TPW pamphlet on Nuisance Heronries called me back. She had advised me when they leave in the fall to trim the canopies and remove old nest. She also said it will not only take the citizens it will also take the fire and police. This is due to the noise we will have to generate to ensure they do not roost again in our neighborhood.

I told her the City was afraid to wash the street because if a bird falls out of the nest they would be fined. I advised her Carrollton has had dealings with the birds before they cost the considerably. She said the City can clean the streets and they would not be fined for the birds that feel out of the nest. This is because the City's intention is to clean the street not to harm the birds. This was great news!

I spoke to Landon Bell from Burt Solomons office too. I advised him the law needs to be amended so that Cities are not afraid to act and help their citizens. The people are the one's paying taxes not the birds! He advised me to call Kenny Marchmant's local office as a starting place. He told me to call him back and let him know what was happening. Once again hopeful...

I then received a call back from Adam Henry from TPWS office. He advised me again of what can be done in the fall when they leave. He also said in Feb/Mar when they start to return it will be a neighborhood effort to run them off. Not only will the adults return but their babies as well!! I advised him about the City being afraid to clean due to being fined for falling birds (Scott Hudson's own words!) and he said that it was untrue. If it is not the intention to harm then their is no fine. I also told him about the concern for the nitrates going into the storm system and then the lake. He said it does that when it rains. Thank you...is that not what we told them?? He said he was going to call Scott Hudson directly and discuss the birds with him. Still hopeful..

Channel 33 and 39 showed up to do stories about the plight on our street...still hopeful

And then...I then see a email from Bing Burton which says that epidemiologist, Juan Rodriguez does not think that our street is a public health hazard! Really!!! What part of dead fish, bird eggs, dead birds and extreme amounts of bird droppings are not a health hazard? One of my neighbor's was ill from being outside to long yesterday talking to the news. In a article the Mayor referenced a house had to be abandoned due to Egret's being on the roof. There was also a business that had to close. I have also spoken to Endocronologiest, Microbiologist and a family member who works at the EPA who all told me "avoid the crap at all cost". If Juan and Bing think it is safe why don't they rent the house across the street? Have a BBQ and let the kids play in the front yard. What a load of CRAP...Bird Crap!

News Story Link

Here is the news story by Jason Allen on CBS 11 tonite

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/05/30/protected-egrets-concerning-carrollton-neighborhood/

The Press...

Today has been a busy day. We were contacted this morning by Randy McIlwain from NBC 5 who ran a new story about our street on the 4, 5 and 6 o'clock news. He and his camara man John were here most of the day talking to residents and photographing our "war zone". 

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Egrets-Invade-Carrollton-122841369.html

We also spoke to Jason Allen from CBS 11 who will air a story on the 10 o'clock news. He and his camera man advised us the Herons and Egrets have moved across the street as well. We will be contacting those neighbors to warn them of what can happen if they don't scare them off.

Animal Services had to come out twice today to pick up not only live but dead baby birds. There are also several eggs on the street as well.

Summer is not going to be pretty...

Memorial Day Weekend

Due to the birds our planned get together was cancelled. We can't have anyone park out front right now. My husband cleaned the mailbox and covered it in press and seal to minimize the damage from the birds.

We have spoken to Endocrinologist's and Microbiologist who have told us to avoid the "poo". Leave your shoes out front and take extra precautions with animals due to pest.

I received a call back from TPWS and Burt Solomon's office. I called both back and left voice mail messages.

I have also received emails back from NBC and CBS regarding my email. We shall see what happens...

Today's happenings...

I was contacted by Phil Alvarado from Fox 4 News. I advised him I was at work but my husband was home and gave him his cell phone number. He did a interview today with my husband and the neighbors that was on the 6 o'clock news. Thank you Phil Alvarado.

While I was on lunch I received a call from the Mayor of Carrollton. He advised me that he just took office and was getting situated. He said that they take what the citizens say seriously and wanted me to know they were working on our problem. He said that the TPW and Environmental Services were working together and had been on our street this morning. They were trying to figure out a way to handle this problem and not cause any other problems.

The bird poo is high in nitrates and they don't want it going in the storm drains and killing the fish in the pond. Ok, question, what about when it rains? It all goes the same place. Wouldn't a controlled release be better than all at once?

I let him know that the Environmental Services Department had told my husband yesterday that nothing would be done. So I have emailed and called everyone. I also let him know that I had spoken with the Co. Game Warden and a permit is not required to remove the nest. He asked me to give him 1 - 10 days to come up a resolution for our problem. I told him I would give him the time he is asking for to come up with a resolution.

He also said he wanted to make come up with a plan for the future for this problem. I agreed that it needed to be done so no one else has to go through this problem. I also advised him that these birds are used to city noises. They are doing construction on the main street and a cement truck turned down our street today and stopped. It had the mixer running and was right under the birds. The noise did not phase them at all.

I am hopeful that the streets will be cleaned and a plan in place for the future. We shall see...

Our Representatives...

I have also emailed for help and put the link to the video to:

Texas US Senators - Kay Bailey Hutchison & John Cornyn

Texas US Representatives - Kenny Marchant

Texas State Senator - Chris Harris

Texas State Representative - Burt R Solomons

We shall see...

Let's see what happens?

Since the City has decided not to help I have emailed our request for help to:

Fox 4 News

NBC 5 News

ABC 8 News

CBS 11 News

Dallas Morning News

Let's see who responds to our plea for help...

Phone Calls Today...

Here are the phone calls for the day:

I received a call back from Dr. Shelly Stonecpheir with TDSHS and unfortunately her department is not the one to help us. She advised me I need to go to Denton County and the City. She had never heard of our problem before and suggestted we avoid contact with the bird droppings. She also advised me to speak with TPWD. I told her everyone I have called about this already. We are needing help.

I still have not heard back from the TPWD - Wildlife Services Division yet. I will be calling them tommorow since he was suppose to be in the office today.

Scott Hudson the Director for Enviromental Services call today. They did exactly what I thought they would do...they can't wash the street because it will disturb the birds! Are you kidding me?? Then you might as well block off the street, stop traffic and all neighborhood outdoor activites. We are off a 6 lane road that is a major throughfare for police, fire and amublance. We are also in the flight path for the hospital and two small airports. There is all kinds of activity on our street daily which does not phase the birds at all.

The Carrollton News is asking questions...

This afternoon a reporter from The Star knocked on the door and asked a few questions. He had been at the City Council meeting and heard us speak. We caught somebody's attention...

Phone Calls Made...

Well here is a list of who I have called so far about the birds:

Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) (512) 389-4505
 Spoke to a very nice gentleman who refered me to Texas Wildlife Services and County Game Warden

Texas Wildlife Services (817) 978-3146
Spoke to a very nice woman who took my information and said either Adam Henry or Randy Smith would call me back in a day or two. They were currently dealing with a problem in Athens.

TPWD County Game Warden - Daren Blackery (817) 718-5885
Great guy - took my information and called me back when he said he would. He spoke to a Biologist who said we couldn't move the birds since there was so many. He refered me to the Texas Wildlife Services and said they would be able to help us. He also said we would not need a permit to remove the nest once they were gone.

Denton County Health Services (972) 434-4700
They refered me to

Denton County Enviromental (940) 349-2920
I spoke to a really nice woman who refered me to

Texas Department of State Health Services (817) 264-4500
I left a voice mail message for Dr. Shelly Stonecifer and am waiting for a call back

CDC (800) 232-4636
They are just informational and not regulatory - they refered me to TDSHS.

Texas State Senator - Chris Harris (817) 978-3146
Spoke to Daniel Strickland who said he would call the City on our behalf

more to come....