p.3 #1 · The Mower and the Damage Done ( Petition Re- Opened)
Nancy Asquith wrote:
I signed. The bobolink is not endangered, but destroying the nests nonetheless violates the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. You could try contacting NWS law enforcement in the hope that they will do something. Their website with contact info is http://www.fws.gov/northeast/le/contact.html
There is hope of enforcement. A tree trimmer in Oakland, California is facing possible federal charges for violating the MBTA after his work for a US Post Office station there caused 5 night heron nestlings to fall. The birds were treated and are expected to make a full recovery. There was a New York Times article about it [see http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/us/after-fall-ruffled-feathers-for-5-birds-and-oakland.html?_r=1]
One website quotes Washington Irving as calling the bobolink "the happiest bird of our spring." How ironic. ...Show more →
Thanks for the correction Nancy. I do know that after photographing them for 7 years and knowing their scarcity, that they need all the help they could get, whether the administration wants to classify it as threatened, endangered or whatever. I don't think we need a line drawn to know that these birds numbers are dwindling faster than they can reproduce. I certainly appreciate the comments and the link.
The USFWS and NY DEC has been contacted by numerous people via several different avenues, zero response.
Newspapers should have stories out today.
It looks like the mowing will be delayed until late July, at least that's what this article says. Thanks to all who have signed the petition. It currently has 395 signatures from locally to all around the world.
p.3 #7 · The Mower and the Damage Done ( Petition Re- Opened)
I'm glad to hear the petition worked. It's pretty amazing what you can accomplish with a petition and public support. Hope you're doing well Herb. I signed it and I hope it's not too late for some of the bobolinks to finish nesting and for their chicks to fledge.
p.3 #9 · The Mower and the Damage Done ( Petition Re- Opened)
Just got the news, Herb. Congrats on putting an end to this nonsense. From his remarks in the email to you, he certainly doesn't seem like a very upstanding human.
p.3 #12 · The Mower and the Damage Done ( Petition Re- Opened)
Eric Gerber wrote:
I'm glad to hear the petition worked. It's pretty amazing what you can accomplish with a petition and public support. Hope you're doing well Herb. I signed it and I hope it's not too late for some of the bobolinks to finish nesting and for their chicks to fledge.
Eric
Thanks a lot Eric, I appreciate the signature. I will check up on them real soon. Missed you at the pond last season.
p.3 #16 · The Mower and the Damage Done ( Petition Re- Opened)
I'm confused. Was the mowing stopped in time to save most of the nestlings?
And you are right that we should be concerned about the declining bobolink population whether or not the government lists it as endangered. Fortunately, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act provides penalties for harming any native bird (as opposed to introduced species, like house sparrows).
p.3 #20 · The Mower and the Damage Done ( Petition Re- Opened)
Sorry to see this Herb My spot was also hayed and I made a trip the other night to see what the results were! I saw one male and three females on a property next door but I'm afraid the nest were all destroyed. I live in an area with a high Bobo population but still it hurts the heart to see this happen. These birds fly 1000's of miles to keep their species alive, sorry to say so many make the journey for nothing!
Congrats on putting an end to this nonsense. From his remarks in the email to you, he certainly doesn't seem like a very upstanding human. 