Subject: [Tweeters] Update; Yacolt Monk Parakeets
Date: Dec 19 17:40:18 2007
From: Thor Manson - thormanson at telus.net


Hi Tweets: I am somewhat reluctant to complete this post, as I thought
the topic of the Yacolt Monk Parakeets was thoroughly, and fairly,
discussed, within the last month, on this forum. Nevertheless, after
checking out the Arctic Loon in neighboring Broadsmead, Oregon,
yesterday, I consciously made the choice of seeing what was going on
with the parkaeets, and, therefore, feel, I should report on my
observations.
Coincidentally, I was there the same day the utilities people were in
town. They were busy, searching out, and removing parakeet nests. On
Hubbard St, I talked to one of the workers, who was removing a nest
from a utility pole. This was after removing another nest from the
same site two weeks prior. I was able to see four of the birds in
flight, and briefly alighting in a tree. The utilities people,
however, indicated, that the remaining birds now recognize the
equipment when they are in town, and quickly leave the area. It is
difficult, therefore, to get a perspective on the number of birds still
there. Other than the nest the utility worker was holding in his hand,
I was not able to find any other nests. I spent about one and half
hours driving, and walking, around the town.
From strictly a birding tourist point of view, and after reading the
posts on this listserve about these birds, and their impact on all
natural things locally, I personally am disappointed that efforts to
remove these birds continue. Hopefully, whatever methods are being
made to build alternative nesting sites will be successful.
As a visiting birder, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to beautiful
Yacolt; ( even though it is very difficult to find ), and it certainly
is a worthy birding destination, hopefully, in the future, with a
stable population of Monk Parakeets.

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.