Subject: [Tweeters] RE: mute swans
Date: Jan 9 17:50:25 2011
From: Larry Schwitters - lpatters at ix.netcom.com


Tweeters,

Here is a reasonable, short term project that could be coordinated
through the Tweeters list.

1. Find a new home for these two Swans.
2. Raise money.
3. Capture the birds. May or may not require permits.
4. Do the surgery.
5. Release to their new home.
6. Be certain to take lots of pictures..

How hard can it be? What Tweeter will step forward to take the lead?
Weekly progress reports to the entire group would make compelling
reading.

Larry Schwitters
Issaquah

On Jan 9, 2011, at 10:48 AM, Martha Jordan wrote:

> Hello,
> As many of you know I have been involved with the issues of mute
> swans
> in WA for several decades. The comments posted are appreciated. It
> is good
> to know the sense of the birding and concerned community.
> The history of how mute swans became listed as "deleterious
> wildlife"
> in WA is well documented. The fact that mute swans are destructive
> to our
> current native ecosystems is also well documented. In addition, we
> have
> documented that mute swans do hybridize with wild trumpeter swans in
> British
> Columbia.
> There were sound, well thought out biological reasons for
> listing the
> mute swan as deleterious here in our state. This was not just two or
> three
> WDFW staff making a snap decision.
> If you look at why people want to have mute swans, one of the
> prime
> reasons is that they keep native waterfowl off their lakes and
> ponds. Is
> this what we really want?
> The discussion will likely continue. There are alternatives, but my
> question to those of you who feel that the birds could be captured
> and put
> somewhere safe: where might this be and who will pay for it? This
> is not a
> rehabilitation issue, WDFW is not in the business of caring for these
> animals, and any facility that could take them needs to have the right
> space. The cost to do this is extremely high.
> If anyone wants to know more about the mute swan issue, their
> sterilization, pinioning, etc. please contact me off list. I have
> extensive
> knowledge and experience with this topic.
> There are many invasive species in this state that are now causing
> major problems. Had they been delt with earlier, we would not have
> the high
> cost to try to reduce or stop the problem now. The mute swan just
> happens to
> be a swan-a big beautiful bird. If this were a zebra mussel, boring
> beetle,
> nutria, etc. what would your thoughts be on the issue of removal?
> This is
> not in support of lethal removal, rather to create an opportunity
> for viable
> options.
> Looking forward to hearing from you.
>
> Martha Jordan
>
>
>
>
>
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