Nancy and Tweeters,
Forgive my ignorance, but with the birds on nests with eggs, is that not
a Federally protected right of the birds to stay until their young have
hatched and fledged.
Last year I remember conversation on Tweeters regarding Swallows and
their nests being protected. And outrage at the cruelty of some construction
workers that wiped out a nest on a porch. I also remember something about a
Northern Mockingbird in Washington DC who's nest was destroyed after the bird
attacked people that came too close. The officials that did the destruction
got in some minor trouble for doing so. Am I missing something?
In addition, it seems that the Caspian Terns are the scapegoat for the
wrong we have done with our Salmon. A few years back there was a nesting
colony at the Everett naval station. When the Navy decided to go forward on
developing their property they worked with the local Audubon in creating a
suitable habitat for the birds the next year out on Jetty Island. Then in
the early spring prior to the birds return they covered all the areas the
birds had been the year before with plastic sheeting and sticks with flapping
tags on them. They also destroyed the nests the birds did try to establish.
The Caspian Terns somehow didn't see the lines and arrows pointing to Jetty
Island because they did not go there. Is there anywhere they are welcome. I
wonder too, maybe we should destroy the nests of the Bald Eagles too. They
eat fish that are endangered too!
I am amazed at the Tribes that claim to be so proactive and one with
nature until it comes to the potential loss of Income because of the fish
eating Terns.
Off my soap box now.
Happy birding,
Beth Thompson
Arlington, WA