at http://eastbaydaze.blogspot.com Really, this is a bizarre approach to the problem and we can't help but agree that other methods should be employed.
The last 2 articles by Dennis Cuff seem to be composed, with the imput of the Audubon and statements from Wildlife Officials.
The USFWS did NOT revoke the Permit to shoot 50 woodpeckers. Even with all the outcry and challenges to the Permit, it remained valid. The bottom line was, if anyone deserves a Permit, Rossmoor does. If it were to be revoked, 100's of others should be reviewed, based on activists claims. IMO, they should focus on the Law and Rules instead of the 1 Permit in Rossmoor.
Audubon at least started an open forum, other activist, like PETA, just jumped on the bandwagon. 100"s of emails (some threats) burdened the HOA and its Managers. Even local Congress requested a review of the Permit, undoubtedly because many of the e-mails were cc'd to her and some of these activists have clout. This was an enormous waste of time for the Managers. Most of the PETA e-mails were not even personal, they just forwarded the same message, over and over. Most of these bloggers probably don't even know what's going on and may not even have read the blog.
FWIW, After e-mails and meetings between the HOA, Managers and Audubon, goals were being discussed. At the 1/7/09 meeting, the Audubon submitted a list of requests, the first being "a permanent moratorium on shooting woodpeckers". This was immediately not agreed to. Other experts in the feild provided valuable information which has been acted on. Shortly after the HOA voted to resume the shooting and that is when Audubon issued a public statement, cutting off communications. The HOA saw this alliance as a long term relationship but also decided shooting was part of the overall long term plan.
In early May 09, the shooting could have resumed. The HOA agreed to let APHIS get their Special Collection Permit and trap the birds instead of shooting them. This proved to be sucsessful and I'm sure some good will come of this vs the alternative.
Clarification: the Permit was issued in May 2007, 15 birds were taken and nobody said a thing. The renewal, May 08, was increased to 50(-15), under the review and recommendations of APHIS, USFWS and the US Wildlife Biologist. 7 birds were taken in Dec 08. Then the hoopla started and 6 month of delays and reviews.
This HOA was in compliance and yet suffered in the Media and on the Internet.
Why Rossmoor? Who's next? Hundreds of Permits are issued in Calif every year.
If you had 6-8 woodpeckers hammering on your living room wall for 8-10 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 3-4 months, what would you do? Spend a bunch of money on commercial products that don't work or only for a short time? Put netting over your house and maintain it, forever?
Get a legal Permit?, which is only permisable if you have tried and continue to try non-lethal methods.
I vote, yes to all.
Let the HOA do what they think is best and mind your own business, or I'll transplant 50 woodpeckers in your backyard.
Posted on Wednesday, 6/03/2009 - 4:10 a.m. PDT — by Wattshill
Joined: Jan 2008
Current Posts: 377
at http://eastbaydaze.blogspot.com Really, this is a bizarre approach to the problem and we can't help but agree that other methods should be employed.
Joined: Jun 2009
Current Posts: 2
The last 2 articles by Dennis Cuff seem to be composed, with the imput of the Audubon and statements from Wildlife Officials. The USFWS did NOT revoke the Permit to shoot 50 woodpeckers. Even with all the outcry and challenges to the Permit, it remained valid. The bottom line was, if anyone deserves a Permit, Rossmoor does. If it were to be revoked, 100's of others should be reviewed, based on activists claims. IMO, they should focus on the Law and Rules instead of the 1 Permit in Rossmoor. Audubon at least started an open forum, other activist, like PETA, just jumped on the bandwagon. 100"s of emails (some threats) burdened the HOA and its Managers. Even local Congress requested a review of the Permit, undoubtedly because many of the e-mails were cc'd to her and some of these activists have clout. This was an enormous waste of time for the Managers. Most of the PETA e-mails were not even personal, they just forwarded the same message, over and over. Most of these bloggers probably don't even know what's going on and may not even have read the blog. FWIW, After e-mails and meetings between the HOA, Managers and Audubon, goals were being discussed. At the 1/7/09 meeting, the Audubon submitted a list of requests, the first being "a permanent moratorium on shooting woodpeckers". This was immediately not agreed to. Other experts in the feild provided valuable information which has been acted on. Shortly after the HOA voted to resume the shooting and that is when Audubon issued a public statement, cutting off communications. The HOA saw this alliance as a long term relationship but also decided shooting was part of the overall long term plan. In early May 09, the shooting could have resumed. The HOA agreed to let APHIS get their Special Collection Permit and trap the birds instead of shooting them. This proved to be sucsessful and I'm sure some good will come of this vs the alternative. Clarification: the Permit was issued in May 2007, 15 birds were taken and nobody said a thing. The renewal, May 08, was increased to 50(-15), under the review and recommendations of APHIS, USFWS and the US Wildlife Biologist. 7 birds were taken in Dec 08. Then the hoopla started and 6 month of delays and reviews. This HOA was in compliance and yet suffered in the Media and on the Internet. Why Rossmoor? Who's next? Hundreds of Permits are issued in Calif every year. If you had 6-8 woodpeckers hammering on your living room wall for 8-10 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 3-4 months, what would you do? Spend a bunch of money on commercial products that don't work or only for a short time? Put netting over your house and maintain it, forever? Get a legal Permit?, which is only permisable if you have tried and continue to try non-lethal methods. I vote, yes to all. Let the HOA do what they think is best and mind your own business, or I'll transplant 50 woodpeckers in your backyard.