Hello Neighbors,

For the last two years we had Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron and Yellow Crowned Heron on our street. It started out with a couple of birds the first year, then a few more the next year and now...
we have a Heroine or Rookery in our front yard. We were never warned that the Heron's were the precursor to the Egrets.

First there we just a few, then a few more and a few more...there is now around 500 of them on our streets. We call the City of Carrollton when there were just a few birds which would have been a easy number to relocate. One neighbor told them he could not go out front to get his mail barefoot. The Cities response "put on shoes". Another neighbor called and complained about the mess the birds were making. The Cities response "get a hose and have a good time".

After a few more phone calls for help we get a pamphlet from the Texas Parks and Wildlife - Nuisance Heroines in Texas left on our door from the Environmental Services Department. It had a letter in it stating that same thing we have all heard over and over "Sorry, the birds are protected there is nothing we can do."

Really??? In the letter which quoted the pamphlet it 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."

What part of a there are 500 birds (right now wait for more babies) pooping on our trees, street, mailbox and sidewalk doesn't conflict with human needs? The pamphlet also talks about that they can be a nuisance when they are located adjacent to residential areas. These birds are not adjacent to a residential are they are in a residential area! There is also mention of the damage they cause to vegetation and the diseases they carry.

The neighbors banned together and we went to speak at the City Council Meeting. They are not allowed to comment on items brought up in the public forum until the next meeting. We shall see what happens.