Preparing for next year...

The time is about here to start prepping for next years fight. We were told we will have to try and fight the birds off for about another 3 to 5 years.

So here is the list:

Radio's - so we can communicate with the other end of the street and the ones next to us
Hook's - to tear any nest out of the trees
Horn's - the first wave of deterrents
Screamer/Blasting Caps - the next wave if they won't leave
Schedule - determine who is going to take days or nights and locations

I know all the neighbors will not participate in the fight. We had several who could not donate their time so they donated money for the screamers.

I want to be able to enjoy being outside again...

Appreciation of being able to go outside

I was standing in my backyard this morning with my dogs and looking around. I realized that this time last year the trees were full of Cattle Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, Blue Heron, Green Heron, Yellow Night Crowned Heron and Black Night Crowned Heron. You could not even step outside with out a mask on the smell and ammonia levels were overwhelming. The noise from all the birds was constant. If you went out front you had better have an umbrella or you were getting pooped on. There was hand sanitizer, alcohol bottles and mask by every door. Shoes were not allowed in the house do to the hazardous waste you had to walk through in the yards.

I am so proud of my neighborhood for banning together to fight the birds this year. I am proud for my city for listening and stepping up to help the residents of the entire city this year. I feel sorry for all the individuals who are going through what we went through last year.

I keep hearing the law can't be changed with several excuses attached. What I really hear is it is too hard and we don't want to put in the time. The individuals who have been impacted by this outdated law need to ban together to get it changed.

It can and will be done...no one should suffer through what we went through last year.

Neighborhoods with the problems this year...

Here is a upscale Fort Worth Neighborhood:
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2012/06/09/egrets-return-to-north-texas-landing-in-fort-worth/

Here is one down by Austin:
http://www.khou.com/news/texas-news/157953495.html

Here is one in San Antonio:
http://www.kens5.com/news/Migrating-birds-and-visitors-create-a-delicate-trash-cleanup-160900905.html


Unfortunatly they have no idea what they are in for the rest of the summer. The experts are saying that they are good to get rid of bugs. It is because the ammonia levels get so high it is toxic for all the bugs. They experts say they will be gone in July or August. Try more like September or October. The experts get their information from the text books. We lived with the birds and were able to see their daily activties. The birds behaviors and patterns no longer go along with the text books, they have adapted. However the laws have not adapted to the birds.

If you are one of the unfortuante individuals who had live with a rookery in your yard due to the outdated laws please help pick up the fight. The Department of Interior needs to know this is unacceptable to expect individuals to allow their property, familes and health be threatened.

Not just a North Texas Problem

Here is a neighborhood in California:
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2011/11/03/residents-can-annoy-but-not-kill-birds-invading-colusa-county/

I had been told by the experts that the problems with these birds was limited to North Texas. We would not be able to get any help in changing the laws because it impacted such a small number of individuals.

According to the article above this is not just a problem for North Texas. The laws need to be changed.

This sums up the situation well...

Here is another good article from DFW Urban Wildlife. We have driven off the birds this year and celebrated with a block party. We know we will have to do it again probably for the next few years but it is possible. We do not know where they went and hope it was not another neighborhood. The laws need to be changed and the people who can change them need to quit saying it can't be done.

http://dfwurbanwildlife.com/2012/07/02/journal/journal-chamberlain-dive-rookery-victory/

Still fighting...

Well the fight to move the birds on to somewhere else is still going on. One of the neighbors had been told it would only take 5 days. It has been way more than 5 days, heck more than 5 weeks. It is still better than the over 5 months of birds in the trees. It is kinda fun to fire off flares to scare them away. In some cases it is almost therapeutic.

We have learned a lot on what to do to scare the birds away. We have all been enjoying being outside. It has been great.

Update on the fight...

Well we seem to be winning the fight against the birds. We have had a few of the Green Heron attempt to establish nest in the neighborhood. They unfortunately did not take and eventually were taken down.

We have been hard at work since March 14th when the invasion began. It has been every morning and night to try and keep the birds out of the neighborhood. We have used everything at our disposal to legally harass them.

It is a shame what we have had to go through because of an outdated law. Once again...the birds have adapted why haven't the laws?

Can't belive what I am hearing...

What we went through last year was horrific. The "experts" even say it is not something they have ever witnessed.

We have had a neighbor who came out and turned off the propane cannon. It was keeping him awake and pissed him off. He called the City and chewed out the Animal Services Division.

Another neighbor came out and yelled that everyone was keeping him awake and we needed to stop.

Another guy drove down the street and said we needed to take a holiday. We were driving the birds over to his neighborhood.

Another woman come over pissed off because her dog keeps stressing out from all the noise. She said she didn't care what we went through and we needed to cut down all our trees.

OK...really people?

We are suppose to let the birds roost in our neighborhood again.

We are suppose to cut down our trees and loose our property value.

Buy some ear plugs, send the dog to day care of a friends, have a heart.

Update from the City of Carrollton

Here is the link to what the City and Neighbors are doing to ensure we do not have a repeat of last year...

http://www.cityofcarrollton.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=8427

A letter to the Department of Interior

April 12, 2012

Dear Secretary Salazar,

I am writing you today to let you know the impact that the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 has had on my community. I live in a nice suburban neighborhood and the streets are lined with mature oak trees. Our neighborhood is currently a war zone which has been waged against the birds.

Last year we were invaded by several thousand heron and egrets. We were taken by surprise and misinformed regarding the birds. The six months of hell we went through I would not wish on my worst enemy. We were prisoners in our own homes and our environment was toxic.

In the research I conducted I was surprised to learn all the diseases the bird’s carry that can be transfer to humans and pets. The rookery showed all the classic signs of salmonella. When I questioned if the birds were going to be tested for it I was informed no, they already knew they carried it.

The dander was so thick it looked like we had Cottonwood Trees. The ammonia levels were so high it would burn your eyes and your sinus through a carbon filter mask. The debris which consisted of sticks, droppings, regurgitation, eggs, dead fish, dead frogs, dead snakes and dead birds was four inches deep in some areas. Every government agency I reached out to for help advised me that we would not receive any because they were federally protected birds.

I found out that this has been allowed to go on for over 30 years! Individuals have lost their homes, business and health because of these birds. I do not think this was the "spirit" for which the law was written. The birds have adapted to roosting in residential areas due to the lack of predators. Yet the laws have not adapted with the birds.

What we went through fit the definition for the EPA Environmental Justice perfectly.

"Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. EPA has this goal for all communities and persons across this Nation. It will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work."

But I was told because they were federally protected birds we would receive no assistance. I was told to reach out to the Department of Interior. I was then informed to reach out to US Fish and Wildlife who sent me to the Migratory Bird Office. I was then told to consider the birds and what I could do next year.

No one should be forced to go through what we went through last year, it is a living hell. To find out that this has been allowed to go on for over 30 years is unacceptable. The birds should not be allowed to roost in residential areas. It is not a good environment for the birds or the people.

To add insult to injury the Cattle Egret is an invasive species but is offered protection of a native species. The laws need to be changed to adapt to the birds and invasive species removed from protection. Google "Carrollton Rookery" or "Carrollton Egrets" and view the pictures and video of what we went through.

Regards,

Here are the players...



Great Egret

Yellow Night Crowned Heron

Black Night Crowned Heron

Cattle Egret

Green Heron

Little Blue Heron



And they keep coming...

The Green Heron are now in the area. They are pretty stubborn and do not want to move. It has taken quite a bit of ammo to move them on to the next area.

Cattle Egrets have been sighted...

The Cattle Egrets have shown up now in the neighborhood. We still have not seen the Green Heron or the Snowy Egrets yet.

There is a young Yellow Night Crowned Heron who is just refusing to leave. We have had to get everything to get him to leave.

Egret Deterants

Here is what we are using so far to ensure the Herons and Egrets do not roost in our neighborhood:

Scary Eye Balloons - inflatable hanging in the trees and helium filled above the tree line

Reflective Tape/Streamers - hanging from the limbs with kite string. We put nuts at the top of the string to help them hang and not get tangled in the limbs.

Beach Balls - They have been decorated with reflective tape, eyes or whatever else is bright

Garland - metallic with bells

Horns - canned air horns and pump horns that never run out

Sling Shots - fire dog food or other small items that will not hurt the birds just startle them

Screamers - a pyrotechnic that screams while it is going up in the air

Bangers - another pyrotechnic that booms really loud up in the tree tops

Propane Cannons - these are set on a timer and create a loud boom

Pool Poles with hooks - this is to tear down any nest in the neighborhood. You can remove any nest as long as there are no eggs.

More News Stories...

Here are some recent new stories regarding the fight we are putting up and why.

http://www.khou.com/news/texas-news/Ruffled-feathers-Texas-residents-ready-for-egret-invasion-142192885.html

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/noisy-neighbors-work-together-to-battle-egrets-032212

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2012/03/22/carrollton-residents-fighting-egret-migration/

http://www.12newsnow.com/story/17177748/battling-the-birds

Don't they understand?

We actually have had a animal lover try to convince us we couldn't take the nest down. REALLY! You don't think I have done a lot of research. I can harass them and do anything but hurt and kill them.

Another neighbor was upset about a nest being removed from her tree. REALLY! Did you not see the news? Do you seriously think that you are not at risk?

These birds do not care about where they roost just as long as there are no predators. They don't care you are a prisoner in your own home. They don't care if your family is susceptible to the illnesses they carry. They don't care your home could become uninhabitable. They just don't care!!!

Egret and Heron Warning!!!

Several have been sighted in the neighborhood. The screamers have been used and they are reacting very well. They have been chased all over the neighborhood to other area's.

It is that time of year for all the southern states. Beware and keep your eyes on the sky.

Egret and Heron sightings

They have started to arrive in the neighborhood. We have seen Night Crown Heron and Great Egrets in the neighborhood. We have taken down three partial nest from the neighborhood.

Trees are trimmed, Balloons are up and the neighbors have been warned.

Egret News Story...

WFAA showed up and did a news story about what we went through last year and what we are doing this year...

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Ruffling-Some-Feathers-142158033.html

Nest in the trees...

A couple of partial nest have been found in the trees. Of course we have taken them down.

The Falconers were also in the neighborhood. Very cool to meet them and learn what they do.

USDA APHIS said the birds are probably about two weeks out. We have a cold snap which should hopefully delay them more...

Watch the Skies

Well one has been spotted flying over the neighborhood. A nest has also been removed from a neighbor's trees. We are unsure if it was a nest that was missed or something new. There are new droppings over by it so we are thinking it might be new.

There have already been sightings of the birds down South. The estimation is that they will be here in about two weeks.

We will be doing all we can to ensure we do not go through another spring/summer like last year. The City is also taking steps to not only assist us but the entire City.

Measures are in place...

Noise making devices: Air horns, Propane Cannons, Screamers
   Check
Water Devices: Hoses, Extensions, 0 Degree Tips
   Check
Bright and Flashy: Red Reflective Strips, Eye Balloons, Laser Pointers
   Check

The neighborhood and the City are ready for the birds return. They will not be residing in the City of Carrollton this year!

Lord help the neighboring cities if they have not put any deterrents in place. I feel sorry for their poor residents if the birds take up roost.

The Egrets are coming, the Egrets are coming

Be warned they have returned back to the area. The have been seen roosting in trees in Royce City area. It is only a matter of time before they start trying to move in...

Warn the Neighbors...

There have been several Heron and Egrets spotted in the area. The neighbors are preparing to fight and make sure we do not go through what we did last year. This means they will go somewhere else and another neighborhood will have to suffer.

The local, state and federal government will do nothing to help them.

They will learn really quick that they have no rights and how their families will suffer...

The neighbors have been warned...

The neighbors have all been warned that a few scouts have been seen down by the lake. There has also been evidence on the streets of the birds in the trees.

The City has been doing mini migratory bird work shops for several neighborhood associations who were unable to attend the large one. I was told that at one of the meetings that several of the people kept asking more biology questions regarding the birds. One of the men stood up and told the people there that if they wanted to know why the meeting was important to go to city website. He advised them to watch the first 10 minutes and they would know why they were holding the meeting.

Cattle Egrets in Hawaii

This is from the Hawaii Audubon Society:

"The extent to which this egret has fulfilled its purpose in reducing flies on cattle has never been measured empirically, but cattlemen insist the incidence of insect-born ailments on cattle has decreased where they are present (Telfair R.C.II 1994). They undoubtedly perform pest control services in consuming grasshoppers, crickets, centipedes, millipedes, moth and beetle larvae, cockroaches, frogs, toads, ticks, rats and mice. But they also devour small birds and the eggs and nestlings of larger birds including seabirds on islands. (Long,1981;Telfair, op cit)."

"Another problem with Cattle Egrets is their potential for transmitting parasites and disease organisms to livestock, domestic fowl, wild birds and people. In Florida, they were found to have viral encephalitis, mycoplasma (PPLO ) infections, and salmonellosis. Parasites included louse flies, mites, trematodes, cestodes, helminths, and nematodes (Telfair, R.C. II , 1994). In 1972, Gagne (1972) urged theState Board of Agriculture to invoke strong regulations on the introduction of birds quoting a book by John Davis listing wild birds susceptible to Newcastle’s Disease. Cattle egrets were included. Gooch (1977) in a letter from the State Department of Health to R. Walker of the Department of Land and Natural Resources reported nestling and juvenile egret samples positive for Salmonella. The concern is that this disease might spread to native birds (Rauzon et al, 2004).Upon its introduction in 1959, the Hawaii Audubon Society said, “Although some of us regard importations with some trepidation, it would seem that the Cattle Egret will not displace any of our native birds” (Anon 1959a). But for other reasons,it is clear now that this deliberate introduction was a mistake. A wildlife biologist has said, “In view of the various negative impacts associated with Cattle Egrets including predation on young endangered waterbirds, depredation on aquaculture organisms, as hazards to aviation, and vectors of disease, the location of rookeries is important to management” (Walker,1983)."

This is from August/September 2011...

What we could have...

Here are some scary numbers...

If the adults return: 4,804
If 80% of the babies return : 5,764
Total number of adult birds: 10,568
Breeding pairs: 5,284
Eggs Laid: 42,272
Chicks:21,136

Total number of birds in the Rookery = 31,704

This can not be allowed to happen. The figure above is what could happen to our neighborhood if the birds are allowed to roost again.  I can not believe that Texas Parks and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife and the Department of the Interior have been allowed to get away with this for over 30 years!

How can this be right to subject American Citizens to the kind of biological hazards the birds create? They don't test them for salmonella because they know they carry it. They don't test them for histoplasmosis because they say it's to hard to prove. There are also several other diseases the birds are known.

The laws need to change!