Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-11-13


herring gulls on the coast of Maine
the past two seasonA This report,
summarized. sets forth the following
facts:
It was undertaken mainly to gath
er data relative to alleged gull dep
relations in BURBERRY fields but In
cluded an Investigation of other COM
plants against the birds and also
with reference to their abundance.
With reference to the alleged dep
relations of gulls on BURBERRY crops.
a number of those who complained
Of injury to their crops were inter-
viewed; one party in Rockiand. who
was interviewed expressed the opin-
ion that gull depredations on blue
berries is very local and confined by
the best crop years when the birds
are attracted to the ground by the
sight of the blue fields. The expert
cree Of the Rockland man is stated
to have been that a few shots fired
at the gulls over the berry patches
will keep the birds away and prevent
damage for that season, whether or
not any of the gulls are hit. It was
further stated that gulls were first
noticed eating blueberries about four
years ago and no serious depreda-
lions have occurred since.
Another party who has had con-
siderable experience with herring
gulls, having acted as special warden
on an island OF the coast for the
Audubon Society. was also interview
ed. His farm of 800 acres is valu-
able for it's BURBERRY fields. He also
has found that a few shots fired at
the circling gulls frighten them SO
that damage is prevented for the en-
tire season.
The Bureaus investigation was
also carried on at Owls Head and
brought similar results to those Sc
cured in the vicinity of Rockiand.
The Investigator heard someone
shooting and found a party shooting
at gulls as they sailed over the re-.
gion In the general direction of the
BURBERRY fields. The government
agent secured five gulls in the vicin-
ity and an examination OF the con-
tents OF their outlets revealed that
their diet was entirely composed of
fish and garbage. The following day
the Federal investigator remained in
the vicinity OF the large BURBERRY
patch there and saw many gulls
coming from Rockland Harbor cross
Ing to Crescent Beach but none Of
them paid the slightest attention to
the bcrries-all had obviously been
feeding on fish or refuse in the wa
ter.
A party who has lived in Owls
Head practically all his life stated
that in his opinion or to his knowl-
edge gulls had never bothered blue
berries until five or six years ago
eud that the worst conditions were
during the year 1921. This party
further stated that since that time
the damage has been very slight and
when once fired upon the gulls seem
to shun the BURBERRY fields for the
rest of the season.
Other parties interviewed at Myra,
Addison and other places from
which reports of depredations by
same information.
Upon investigation of few re-
ports with reference to depredations
OF gulls that they were devouring
fish scrap which had been spread
out on the ground as fertilizer. there
! appeared to be no foundation for the
| complaints, as the use Of raw fish
scrap as q fertilizer at the present
! time appears to have been discontin-
ued.
In summarizing fits investigation
! the bureau has concluded It's report
| with the following paragraph:
The results OF the investigation do
| not appear to warrant the issuance
| Of permits at the present time but ii
| gulls should increase to material
extent or they should at any time
| in the future become seriously inju.
rious to the blueberries. the ques-
ton of issuing permits for their de-
struction might be considered al
| that time. We feel quite sure that
| the owners of BURBERRY fields can
readily protect their crops by shoot
| ing few blank shells at the birds
| II they should attack the crops.