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…