Subject: [Tweeters] @#$%^& starlings
Date: Jan 24 16:21:04 2008
From: Robert Pisano - pisano at nwlink.com


I don't think we need to go to "calibers". What about a simple BB or
pellet gun? Hardly a firearm, gets the job done. Starlings gone.
Native birds happy happy. Urban legal, yes? No?


On Jan 24, 2008, at 4:14 PM, Dennis Rockwell wrote:

> Tweets,
> ?
> Robert is correct regarding how is easy is to discourage starlings
> from attending your feeders if you're willing to "pop" one and have
> the act witnessed by the rest of the flock.? Of course, this isn't any
> help to someone living in an incorperated area where the use of
> firearms is prohibited, but if you're living in a rural or semi-rural
> environment and aren't Buddhist or Hindu and aren't worried about
> "karma", then you might be interested to know that the Savage Firearms
> Company (great name, huh?) makes a single shot 22 caliber smooth
> bore.? That's right, a .22 caliber shotgun that uses shot shells with
> #12 shot (also called 'dust').? Some refer to them as 'garden guns'.?
> The effective range is out to about 30 feet, maybe a few feet more.?
> The cartridge box claims a potential range out to 700 feet, but in
> tests I've done the shot bounces off cardboard at 125 feet without
> even denting it.?
> ?
> Robins and starlings foraging on a lawn are seeking different prey.?
> Robins are, indeed, after earth worms, but starlings are after the
> larve of various flies (lawn pests) and as such the starlings are
> working for the grounds keeper.
> ?
> Dennis Rockwell
> Kennewick, WA
> dennisrockwell at verizon.net
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Robert Pisano
>> To: Dennis Paulson
>> Cc: Tweeters
>> Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 3:22 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] at #$%^& starlings
>>
>> Hello Dennis, and others ...
>>
>> I say this at great risk, but as a devout conservationist. Starlings
>> are very smart birds, and I have found that if you "eliminate" one in
>> sight of its cohorts, the rest disperse and do not return. Ever! Now,
>> before all the hot mail comes in, just think for a moment how many
>> native birds you might be saving by safeguarding a valuable food and
>> energy source. Native birds rule in my yard - I have no sympathy
>> whatever for feathered rats. But if they leave the provided food
>> sources alone then they're free to pass without incident.
>>
>> As to Robins flocking with starlings, yes. I've noticed the same
>> thing here for years now, and surmise they get some mutual benefit
>> from the association - much like other wild birds following
>> chickadees to the various feeders in the neighborhood. I've seen the
>> Starlings dig and peck through the lawns here with great vigor; could
>> the Robins be following after for the errant worm or two?
>>
>> Robert Pisano
>> Ravenna Neighborhood / Seattle
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jan 24, 2008, at 2:21 PM, Dennis Paulson wrote:
>>
>>> I often defend starlings to people who despise them, saying it's our
>>> fault they are here, not theirs, and that's entirely true.
>>>
>>> But today they're straining my patience. I've had this nice suet
>>> feeder outside my window all winter, and it's bee a great source of
>>> joy, as bird after bird feeds from it, from flocks of Bushtits to a
>>> spectacular Pileated Woodpecker. Imagine a Townsend's Warbler on one
>>> side and a Bewick's Wren on the other.
>>>
>>> But today the starlings have come back into the neighborhood, and
>>> I've spent all morning chasing them off that feeder. They are
>>> shockingly persistent, just flying into the nearby trees when I
>>> yell, clap my hands, and/or wave things out the window, then
>>> returning within minutes or even seconds. They're too relaxed! As
>>> many as 10 gather, one on the suet, and it pecks so vigorously that
>>> enough suet falls to the ground to feed the hordes below. Flickers
>>> do the same thing, and it's great to see a wren or Varied Thrush
>>> picking up the pieces then. But the starlings can strip a suet
>>> feeder in no time, and I can't afford the time or money to replace
>>> it every few hours. Also, they keep the smaller birds off it, even
>>> giving the flickers pause when there are enough of them. I'd love to
>>> see a Pileated come in and scatter them.
>>>
>>> The flock finally flew away after about 15 minutes of my hassling
>>> them, but I know they'll be back.
>>>
>>> Now that they've returned for the spring (they are fortunately
>>> absent from this neighborhood in winter, I may have to take the suet
>>> down. We have another feeder in which the suet is impervious to
>>> starlings, but that's such a metal monstrosity that I don't really
>>> want it by my window. Not much I can do about it, as I can't spend
>>> every day running to the window 50 times, just venting.
>>>
>>> One interesting thing is that several times when the yard was full
>>> of starlings, it was also full of robins, and I get the distinct
>>> feeling that they may travel together, at least loosely.
>>> -----
>>> Dennis Paulson
>>> 1724 NE 98 St.
>>> Seattle, WA 98115
>>> 206-528-1382
>>> dennispaulson at comcast.net
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Tweeters mailing list
>>> Tweeters at u.washington.edu
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