Three towns scattered across the United States are dealing with vastly different bird issues. In Taylor, Texas, residents are being encouraged by their police department, with the permission of the US Department of Fish and Wildlife, to harass Cattle Egrets before “nuisance rookeries” get established. Apparently, people don’t like living beneath a host of nesting egrets. Who knew?
In Old Orchard Beach, Maine, the town is grappling with whether or not to accept a plan from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to help conserve the Piping Plover. It is unclear what issue is holding up approval, but the article I found mentions requiring people to keep their dogs away from nesting plovers. Hopefully, the town will do the right thing.
In Cape Coral, Florida, the town has a new population of Florida Scrub Jays living on land slated to be developed. Should they continue with the development which would require them to conserve similar habitat or cancel the development and leave the birds be? Interestingly, the article frames the issue just as a problem; apparently no one has told the folks in Cape Coral that lots of birders would kill to see Florida Scrub Jays.
As far as the situation in Old Orchard Beach:
If the requirement to keep dogs away from nesting Piping Plovers is enacted, there will be a need to police the area to be sure that dogs are kept away.
I watch an area south of OOB called Goose Rocks Beach. This beach is closed during Piping Plover nesting season, with a two-strand fence to keep everyone out and cage type structures to keep predators away from the nests.
Although there is a law on the books that states no dogs are allowed on this beach, dog owners allow their dogs to run rampant, chasing all sorts of shorebirds. Signage is posted everywhere, but these arrogant asses think their dogs can run anywhere, the hell with the law. When confronted, dog owners claim they did not know. A few days later, the same dogs are seen running free all over the beach.
Some are caught and fined, but many more get away with it. The stress these dogs cause to these birds and chicks is monumental! It’s no wonder so many of the nests fail.
Now before I am labled a “dog hater” let me make it clear that I love dogs. I’m also a responsible dog owner who has enough common sense to know that whether a beach is posted or not, YOU DO NOT LET DOGS CHASE AFTER BIRDS!!!! Wise up people!!