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.