From: palmer@isye.gatech.edu (Michael T. Palmer)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: pest control (was: Re: bluebirds return)
Date: 10 Apr 92 19:40:38 GMT
Distribution: usa

TMH1@psuvm.psu.edu writes:

>I'll probably set off a chorus of jeers and criticism for this, and maybe my
>views will change as I get more and more into birdwatching, but I can't help
>responding to the comments about dealing with starlings, sparrows, etc.  I'm
>not crazy about starlings either, nor do I find much to like about grackles
>(I have no quibble with sparrows at all), but it doesn't make sense to me to
>invite birds into my environment via bird food, houses, etc., and then pick
>off the ones I don't like with a gun, trap door, or whatever other means.

>Does anyone else share my view, or am I incredibly naive?



No jeers, no criticism.  About using bait of any kind to lure birds to their
demise, I was kidding.  I am sorry for not making that more clear.  However,
I do not consider putting up housing to be "inviting" a recently transplanted
species to wipe out a native species that does not yet recognize it as a
nest-site competitor.  Until the native species that are suffering because
of man's stupidity can recognize (and defend themselves against) foreign
species they did not co-evolve with, we must at least attempt to ensure their
survival.  European Starlings and English House Sparrows (really, Weaver
Finches) have proliferated madly over here in the past 100 years, mainly
because they do not have the same preditors and competitors.  According to
the Audobon Society, it is not just my *right* to do this, it is actually my
*responsibility* to do so.

It pains me to kill ANY living creature.  I step *over* bugs on the sidewalk.
But I must help mitigate the effects on the ecosystem of man's past blunders.
I do not like it, but I know it's the right thing to do.

And when I defend my purple martin house, I am NOT helping a species that is
"too weak to defend itself."  Martins are small.  But you should see them
gang up on a fish crow, or seagull, that happens to get too close to the
colony.  They all recognize it as a threat, and defend their homes *before*
any damage is done.  They do not, however, recognize starlings and house
sparrows the same way YET.  It may take another hundred years or so.  And
I intend to do what I can to make sure they survive as a species that long.

But no one has the right to criticize your views.  You just may feel that
it is *never* right to kill animals or interfere with nature.  I disagree
with you ONLY in those cases where man has already fouled things up.  In
these situations, I believe it is my responsibility to clean up after our
messes.

Well, so much for the soap box.  I hope this posting did not come across as
critical or preachy.  It was not meant that way.  I just wanted to explain
why *some* bluebirder or martin landlords believe it is both necessary and
correct to take these actions.
>--Tina Hay at Penn State
--
Michael T. Palmer, M/S 152, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA  23665
Temporarily a Techie: Center for Human-Machine System Research, Georgia Tech
Voice: 404-894-4318,    FAX: 404-894-2301,    Email: palmer@chmsr.gatech.edu