Another similar example is the control of cowbirds in the breeding range
of Kirtland's warblers in the Midwest.

Jim

Denny Granstrand wrote:
> Joe and Tweeters,
>
> Do we want to go into the forest and find Spotted Owls, whose numbers
> are tragically depleted due to loss of habitat, or feel sorry that
> Spotted Owls are gone with the final nail in the coffin being driven
> by Barred Owls? Throughout their territories in North America, Barred
> Owls have a very healthy population. If artificially lowering their
> numbers (shooting them) has even the potential of increasing the
> population of Spotted Owls, I am for it. After all, there are a lot
> of Barred Owls out there. Even after shooting 400-500, there will
> still be a lot of Barred Owls in Washington and Oregon.
>
> Shooting a few sea lions who have learned to feast on salmon at the
> Ballard Locks or at any other locks or dams in order to preserve the
> native runs of salmon is also something I will accept for the survival
> of the salmon. The loss a few sea lions certainly won't hurt the
> overall survival of that species. The survival of those few sea lions
> could have a devastating affect on the remaining salmon.
>
> Humans have had a terrible impact on many, many species of animals
> around the world. Managing a few of the very successful species to
> protect some of the others that are in jeopardy is a price we have to
> pay to insure the survival of an incredible bird like the Spotted Owl.
>
> There was a piece on NPR yesterday about Mute Swan eggs in nests in
> Maryland being sprayed with vegetable oil to kill the eggs in order to
> lower the Mute Swan population. The project has been accepted by most
> of the birding and environmental organizations in Maryland because of
> the negative impact of Mute Swans on other bird species. An animal
> rights organization in suing to preserve Mute Swans. That is like
> fighting to increase the numbers of European Starlings in North
> America.
>
> Denny Granstrand
> Yakima, WA
>
> At 06:44 PM 5/2/2007, you wrote:
>> In a message dated 5/2/2007 7:21:42 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
>> festuca at olywa.us writes:
>>
>> I don't wish to open a "political" discussion on Tweeters, but
>> was wondering
>> if the local Audubon groups, etc., are addressing this?
>>
>> This is as good a forum as any to discuss how we (humans) are
>> screwing up the natural balance to the point where we have to
>> consider thinning Barred Owls and even shooting a few sea lions that
>> are merely trying to survive by feasting on the buffet that _we_
>> (humans) have provided at places like the Ballard Locks. Caspian
>> Terns will be targeted next for trying to make a living off young
>> salmon. It's easy enough to blame the wild things and take the heat
>> off the real problems.
>>
>> Bison need to be herded back into Yellowstone to keep from being
>> slaughtered; wolves are being targeted throughout their range because
>> they're recovering _too well_ from all our efforts to exterminate
>> them. And on it goes. The list is endless and it makes me sick to see
>> how we (humans) handle situations like this. But take a look at the
>> mess in Iraq while you're at it. Now there's a "political" discussion
>> for you!
>>
>> I write for a local paper and plan to include the Barred Owl
>> situation as part of my next column. I also plan to get something
>> into the next issue of our local Audubon newsletter to make more
>> people aware of this, for whatever it's worth.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Joe Meche
>> Bellingham
>>
>>
>>
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>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> * Denny Granstrand *
> * Yakima, WA *
> * dgranstrand at charter.net *
> * Denny's bird photos can be seen online at: *
> http://granstrand.net/gallery/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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