Deb Beutler wrote:
> In my opinion, if they are not a native of that area, kill them.
If
>they are native, find other habitat and release them. We can't let nature
>"take its course" because we are already messing with nature by providing
>food for them in the first place. By providing food, we are increasing the
>survival of the squirrels and keeping their population much higher than it
>would be if we weren't here. The population might balance out eventually
>but would we have any birds left? Unfortunately, we are now part of nature
>and we have altered the balance in favor of the squirrel.
______________
How long does a species have to be resident before it is considered
"native"?
Would humans be considered native? My understanding is we've been in the
northwest for several thousand years.

If we kill all the Eastern Grey squirrels would the "native" species thrive?


I really enjoyed your well reasoned and insiteful remarks on Cowbird
predation.

John Shelton
Portland, Oregon