Go to Texas.  They have a "program" there to wipe out TV's, which are deemed to be a "problem" in state parks.  It seems that they eat the garbage left in the parks by humans, which isn't being properly disposed of by the park people.  So, naturally, the DNR people catch and kill the poor Turkey Vultures, who are only doing what comes natural to them, namely trying to survive.
 
 Face it, we live in a "shoot first, ask questions later" society.
 
 In Utah, they just drive over nature with their SUV's and ATV's.  One would think it would be different in a more urban setting like Maryland.  But no, this is a land where they feed deer and then gun them down after the deer befriend the people feeding them.  It's also a place where any duck species is fair game, even though all ducks will be endangered in a few years.  What will the hunters hunt when there are no more ducks to shoot?  Each other?
 
 Good birding,
 Richard
 
 
Richard L. Wood, Ph. D. 
 Computational Chemist 
 Cockeysville, MD 21030 
 

----- Original Message ----
From: Frank Boyle <>
To: 
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2006 10:31:23
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Ornithophobia strikes again

Janet, 

I couldn't agree more.  From the article:

 "Before everyone gets into a major tizzy over the bird 'problem,' and
starts blasting birds off the roof, may I suggest that you all take a deep
breath and relax. What harm are they doing?" Lee wrote in an e-mail to the
board. "Get a grip, put away your shotguns, and worry about more important
things."


************************
Frank Boyle

Rohrersville, MD
************************


-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Janet Millenson
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2006 9:02 PM
To: 
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Ornithophobia strikes again

Curse you, Alfred Hitchcock!

The front page of Friday's Metro section in the Washington Post has a large
photo of black vultures on a rooftop, with the headline "Ravaging a
Neighborhood's Peace." The subhead is "Columbia Enclave Weighs Its
Nonviolent Options." Makes you envision brave residents comforting their
weeping families and stocking up on canned food and duct tape, doesn't it? 
After all, "ravage" means "cause extensive damage; devastate." Apparently
this avian devastation consists primarily of stomping around, defecating on
cars, and alarming the young and/or foolish by their very presence. The
online version of the article, at http://tinyurl.com/8tf2l ,  tones down the
headline to "Raptors Prey on Neighbors' Nerves," but retains the first
sentence: "Ted Hart isn't too fond of the flesh-eating vultures that live on
his roof."

The rest of the article is balanced and informative, and the drawings of
vultures are nicely done. Unfortunately a lot of people are going to just
glance at the photo and headline, which will reinforce their belief that
there's something inherently threatening about a large gathering of
vultures.

Howard County is full of awesome, dynamic birders. You'd better get to work
on educating those wimps at the Washington Post.

Janet Millenson
Potomac, MD (Montgomery County)

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"Look at the birds!" -- Pascal the parrot