Kindly Feeder of Birds or Neighborhood Nuisance?
Hi,
It was probably just a matter of time, if it hasn't happened already... An individual has been charged with ground-feeding birds, and in doing so attracting rodents and violating Bloomington Minnesota law... This is such a tangled issue. Consider the picture...
I'm just going to throw out some thoughts and go from there...
- If ever there was a loud, messy, raucous creature, the seagull would be it. Do I stop feeding the crows because the seagulls sometimes raid their feeder?
- Speaking of crows... What about them? They too can be a rowdy bunch. Do I stop feeding the crows? That would be a huge problem for me in that I've spent the last year or more studying crow behavior -- to shun the crows would be a major bummer.
- And then there are the squirrels who will find food and raise havoc come the river Styx or high water...
- Finally, there are the foxes, coyotes, grackles, and turkeys that gravitate to our feeders
I guess, the ultimate answer is simply to be aware of the concerns of those around us. Talking with neighbors and policing feeders probably isn't a bad idea either.
Deep sigh...
By the feeders...
CapeCodAlan
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Comments
Wheww!!
I'm flabbergasted. I've had my share of dealing with rats. They live amongst every home, or building, including around garbage dumpsters and even the garbage dumpsters you put out on the street each day.
Its unbelievable that a city would come up with the idea that placing bird feed "on the ground" IS THE CAUSE of rat infestation. Nothing could be further from the truth.
You can see my last encounter with these varmits on my YouTube video.
Any such Ordinance is totally unfounded. That's the truth, in fact, and I can prove it.
Cheers,
Harry "Gipper" Morris
Posted by: Harry "Gipper" Morris | August 4, 2011 12:31 PM
Thanks for the insight Harry!
CCA
Posted by: CapeCodAlan
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August 4, 2011 12:41 PM
Hi CCA.
Most of time, my gut feelings are wrong. Sometimes they are right. Let's see how my gut feeling turn out on this story.
I think the whole issue is bogus. I think the news media story is faked. I think the video is faked.
I can't find a specific city ordinance by number or date that prohibits feeding birds on the ground is a misdemenor felony violation or any other kind of violation. Makes me wonder.
Could this be a totally fake fabrication of a story just to get folks riled up and to make a name for someone?
Cheers,
Harry "Gipper" Morris
Posted by: Harry "Gipper" Morris | August 4, 2011 6:34 PM
Interesting Harry... Let me see what I can find out...
CCA
Posted by: CapeCodAlan
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August 4, 2011 11:43 PM
Hi Harry,
An update... This time your gut is off base -- this story is legit. The reporter Slavik is legit. The City Attorney Sandra Johnson is legit, And the accused Craig Brown is legit. However..
I looked up the city ordinance (it's on the books), and I think there may be some confusion concerning what constitutes "ground feeding" wild animals. I've contacted the Bloomington City Attorney as well as the reporter who originally brought this case to light... Time will tell...
Stay tuned...
CCA
Posted by: CapeCodAlan
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August 5, 2011 2:18 AM
Good morning CCA.
This time I speaketh too soon. Finally found the Ordinance late last night.
Cheers,
Harry "Gipper" Morris
Posted by: Harry "Gipper" Morris | August 5, 2011 8:28 AM
Hi Harry,
As I said, stay tuned... I'm in the process of trading emails with both the Bloomington City Attorney and the reporter who broke the story...
Alan
Posted by: CapeCodAlan
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August 5, 2011 4:10 PM