- Mar 02 4:35 pm
#87369
Hello everyone!
I think that it would be great to discuss conservation issues on this forum. Although this forum may get a little sleepy at times it is still probably the best place to communicate back and forth about bird ID, photography, issues, etc... We could even start getting people to come back to the forum !
I wouldn't be surprised at all if many of you have heard about this, but in case you haven't, here it is:
Let's start off with a local one that I learned about on my most recent visit to the Maplewood Flats (which seems to be quite a good birding spot this winter!) a few weeks ago. As many of you know, the Northern Pygmy Owl that was spending much of it's time near the pumphouse at Maplewood passed away because of rat poisoning. This is because the rats, who consume the poison become slow and lethargic, meaning easy pickings for the local owls and other species who feed on them. The consumer and the rat both die from the poison, and is becoming an extremely serious problem for owls in the Lower Mainland such as Barn and Northern-Pygmy.
Well, where is this rat poison coming from? Have you guys ever noticed that futuristic-looking shiny federal government building located right next to the parking lot at Maplewood? Well turns out that the entire building's perimeter is lined with poisonous rat traps! It just struck me as absolutely shocking for a facility to be allowed to do this right next to a extremely important protected area.
What do you guys think?
I would love to hear ideas on what we, the birding community, should do about this problem!
I think that it would be great to discuss conservation issues on this forum. Although this forum may get a little sleepy at times it is still probably the best place to communicate back and forth about bird ID, photography, issues, etc... We could even start getting people to come back to the forum !
I wouldn't be surprised at all if many of you have heard about this, but in case you haven't, here it is:
Let's start off with a local one that I learned about on my most recent visit to the Maplewood Flats (which seems to be quite a good birding spot this winter!) a few weeks ago. As many of you know, the Northern Pygmy Owl that was spending much of it's time near the pumphouse at Maplewood passed away because of rat poisoning. This is because the rats, who consume the poison become slow and lethargic, meaning easy pickings for the local owls and other species who feed on them. The consumer and the rat both die from the poison, and is becoming an extremely serious problem for owls in the Lower Mainland such as Barn and Northern-Pygmy.
Well, where is this rat poison coming from? Have you guys ever noticed that futuristic-looking shiny federal government building located right next to the parking lot at Maplewood? Well turns out that the entire building's perimeter is lined with poisonous rat traps! It just struck me as absolutely shocking for a facility to be allowed to do this right next to a extremely important protected area.
What do you guys think?
I would love to hear ideas on what we, the birding community, should do about this problem!