Crow cull not the only option

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Sir: The last few weeks there have been a number of articles that suggest the way to handle the crow problem is to start shooting them. I would like to offer an alternative suggestion that may cost us some start-up money but would rather be a more humane way to handle the situation.

First off, one does not have to go too far to realize how smart crows are; one has only to ask the question on Google and you will get a number of video’s showing things the crows do that other birds do not. Having done a bit more reading on the Internet, this is not a problem unique to Chatham.

Polly Goodfriend Swan on Oct. 27, 2014 wrote: “I live in upstate NY and every late fall, millions of crows come from everywhere to roost in this town. I love watching and listening to them but my family is the only one that does! The city council spends hundreds of dollars to try and chase them out of town every year! It is terrible. They use explosives, guns and laser lights. They even kill some; they are planning a big kill this year. It makes me sick!

“My family is only nature lovers and non-hunters. If any study is being done on this problem, please come here to this town and help talk to the city council. I dread winter now because of the hazing of the crows, I wish someone would know how to make this town not the major roost for the entire northern NY area.”

Anyhow, I am wondering if it’s food & shelter (roosting) that they are after? If so, why don’t we provide them a location where they can do just that, one that is away from the city?

I am thinking a pond somewhere by a bush would be an ideal spot. If we provide them with ample food and a place to roost (shelter) that is safe, why would they come into town at all?

I could visualize a location where the birds have gathered around to feed and as has been said, roost or socialize. It might even be possible for feeder posts or bins to be set up to encourage easy access to food.

Can you visualize web cams set up so people can log in and get a look at the situation? What about the radio stations reporting what the crow count is for the day? There certainly can be a humorous and more positive spin to the situation if we deal with it appropriately.

Perhaps Chatham-Kent could lead the way in working with such an intelligent species rather than doing what upstate New York is doing?

I for one would rather see Chatham-Kent as the city who doesn’t kill crows to solve the problem but rather as the city who embraces the problem and has found another way perhaps unique way of handling it.

Bob Christie

Chatham

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