Hi Scott,
I admit to a bit of ambivalence about this.
Ecologically, I would probably have to agree. They do
not have a place in our native ecosystems.

However, in contrast with other invaders, they seem to
be fairly innocuous. They do not compete for nesting
areas (they build their own), and they do not seem to
be competing for food. They are dependent upon
feeders, and sometimes fruit trees. I've not yet
heard of a colony outside an urban area.

BUT, that could change if they really get established,
and they COULD become agricultural pests. So maybe in
30 years, we might look back on this as the
opportunity we missed to eradicate a nasty invader.

But in the meantime, I really enjoyed seeing them
flying around Yacolt. They ARE beautiful birds, and I
would not mind seeing them in my yard.

And it really irked me that the ONLY response by the
PUD was eradication. When a quick web-search turned
up alternatives.

So, I will admit that part of my reponse of wanting to
help them, was just to be contrary to the PUD's
response! But the other part was, that I just
enjoyed seeing them.

AND if 'Joe public' enjoys them, AND learns a bit
about preserving birds, AND puts up feeders that our
native birds can use as well, then the next time a
native bird is in trouble and needing help, maybe that
individual will be more apt to help. I figure that
ANY way to get the public thinking about preservation
of a species, is probably a good thing.

So possibly getting the public to help with
preservation of this non-native, but charismatic and
beautiful bird, may at some point help preserve our
native birds. And in the meantime, they do not SEEM
to be doing any harm.

Just my 2 cents ....

Guy

--- Scott R a y <mryakima at gmail.com> wrote:

> The problem with Monk Parakeets living in North
> America isn't about
> their nests interfering with the power company
> operations. The problem
> lies in the existence of Monk Parakeets here at all.
> Rather than
> providing nest boxes, their nests should be
> destroyed a every
> opportunity. Haven't we learned our lesson enough
> times, that
> introduced birds are a bad idea? They should be
> eradicated if
> possible, no matter how beautiful they might be.
>
> Scott R a y
> Yakima
>


Guy McWethy
Renton, WA
mailto: lguy_mcw at yahoo.com


____________________________________________________________________________________
Get easy, one-click access to your favorites.
Make Yahoo! your homepage.
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs