[cobirds] Re: EC Doves becoming nuisance birds
cobirds@googlegroups.com Re: EC Doves becoming nuisance birds Hi all: When I relocated from Colorado to Florida back in 2003 I had not yet observed EUCD in CO. At the time I had first and only found EUCD at Goodland, KS and that was in 1997. I hadn’t been to the Arkansas Valley at the time to observe these birds. Of course here in Central FL – St. Pete - these guys are way too abundant and they are nasty mess makers at that. I found this bit of info at Wikipedia online: It was introduced into the Bahamas in the 1970s and spread to Florida by 1982. Its stronghold in North America is still the Gulf Coast, but it is now found as far south as Veracruz, as far west as California, and as far north as British Columbia and the Great Lakes. I am curious if the stronghold in the Gulf Coast area will shift as they continue to expand to populate all corners of the country. Happy birding! David Laliberte St. Pete, FL --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Re: EC Doves becoming nuisance birds
We are also seeing similar issues up in our foothills neighborhood. We have now taken away all platform feeders in our yard because they can't fit onto the perches. Unfortunately, many of our rural neighbors think they're pretty and are encouraging their continuing presence. Pat -- Pat Hayward Masonville CO 80541 at 5400' west of Fort Collins On Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 7:28 AM, Kathleen Sharpe shar...@ucar.edu wrote: Dear CoBirds, Johnstown has now become overrun with what I believe are Eurasian Collared Doves to the point that neighborhoods are up in arms over the mess and noise, and are not appreciating these birds at all! One house roof is literally covered with droppings. I have been asked to request some guidance here on what steps they might take to encourage them to just go away. We have had frequent visits from a pair of Great Horned Owls who may have been nesting nearby. Do GHO's feed on doves? Anyone here have knowledge of what attracts the doves - what are their feeding preferences? -- Kathleen Sharpe --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Re: EC Doves becoming nuisance birds
I talked to a DOW officer here in Lamar who told me that there IS a season on them so it would be good to check first. Linda Paulsen Lamar, CO --- On Wed, 6/10/09, Ira Sanders great...@msn.com wrote: From: Ira Sanders great...@msn.com Subject: [cobirds] Re: EC Doves becoming nuisance birds To: shar...@ucar.edu Cc: cobirds cobirds@googlegroups.com Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2009, 9:16 AM Kathleen, I'm told that there is open season on Eurasian-collared Doves as they are exotics. If your town permits it, shoot them. Maybe they taste good. Ira Sanders Golden, CO - Original Message - From: Kathleen Sharpe To: cobirds@googlegroups.com Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 7:28 AM Subject: [cobirds] EC Doves becoming nuisance birds Dear CoBirds, Johnstown has now become overrun with what I believe are Eurasian Collared Doves to the point that neighborhoods are up in arms over the mess and noise, and are not appreciating these birds at all! One house roof is literally covered with droppings. I have been asked to request some guidance here on what steps they might take to encourage them to just go away. We have had frequent visits from a pair of Great Horned Owls who may have been nesting nearby. Do GHO's feed on doves? Anyone here have knowledge of what attracts the doves - what are their feeding preferences? -- Kathleen Sharpe --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Re: EC Doves becoming nuisance birds
I think Linda is correct on this, what there isn't is a bag limit on Eurasian Collared Doves during season for them. The season is the same as the hunting season for Mourning Doves starting in September-but there is a bag limit on hunters taking Mourning (and White-winged) Doves. Bill Kaempfer Boulder From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobi...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of linda paulsen Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 11:05 AM To: shar...@ucar.edu; great...@msn.com Cc: cobirds Subject: [cobirds] Re: EC Doves becoming nuisance birds I talked to a DOW officer here in Lamar who told me that there IS a season on them so it would be good to check first. Linda Paulsen Lamar, CO --- On Wed, 6/10/09, Ira Sanders great...@msn.com wrote: From: Ira Sanders great...@msn.com Subject: [cobirds] Re: EC Doves becoming nuisance birds To: shar...@ucar.edu Cc: cobirds cobirds@googlegroups.com Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2009, 9:16 AM Kathleen, I'm told that there is open season on Eurasian-collared Doves as they are exotics. If your town permits it, shoot them. Maybe they taste good. Ira Sanders Golden, CO - Original Message - From: Kathleen Sharpe http://us.mc350.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=shar...@ucar.edu To: cobirds@googlegroups.com http://us.mc350.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cobi...@googlegroups.com Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 7:28 AM Subject: [cobirds] EC Doves becoming nuisance birds Dear CoBirds, Johnstown has now become overrun with what I believe are Eurasian Collared Doves to the point that neighborhoods are up in arms over the mess and noise, and are not appreciating these birds at all! One house roof is literally covered with droppings. I have been asked to request some guidance here on what steps they might take to encourage them to just go away. We have had frequent visits from a pair of Great Horned Owls who may have been nesting nearby. Do GHO's feed on doves? Anyone here have knowledge of what attracts the doves - what are their feeding preferences? -- Kathleen Sharpe --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Re: EC Doves becoming nuisance birds
Kathleen et al, First off, let me say I am not a big fan of Eurasian Collared-Doves and will admit (somewhat ashamedly) that I did make the pilgrimage to The Good News Barber Shop in Rocky Ford on 20 July 1996 to see these birds first verified in Colorado (at the time) by Tony Leukering in June of '96. I have since seen a photo of what certainly appears to be a Eurasian Collared-Dove on a wire near Walsh in 1992, taken by Janeal Thompson. But philosophically this discussion sort of reminds me of problem deer, problem mountain lion, problem feedlot, and the problem landfill near the newly constructed upscale housing development discussions. In all these instances the wildlife or the problem human institution came before the objectors, OR the situation being objected to was created by or at least enhanced by the objectors. Humans imported Eurasian Collared-Doves to the West Indies from continents to the west, where they then apparently on their own jumped over to Florida and began to proliferate. Human land-use greated aided their spread in that these doves like the sorts of places that exist in cities and particularly in rural-urban interfaces. In part this is because of what they eat - plant seeds, including agricultural grains like wheat, milo, corn, weed seeds (many of them introduced by human endeavors), bird feeder fare like millet and other common offerings etc.. In my mind, even though they exist in many different habitat situations, they are the poster child for urban sprawl, climate change, drought, and other prominent social/meteorological issues of relevance to Colorado and much of the West. That their numbers have exploded should not be a surprise when we look back at where they are and what they like. By the same token, because we are a large part of why collared-doves have become a nuisance in many settings, I personally believe it is morally justifiable for us to be part of the solution. Similarly, I thought it was ecologically correct for the agency I worked for during my career to find and eradicate the exotic gypsy moth, to prevent and warn folks about the potential for importation of the exotic emerald ash borer, and even to moderate the impacts of the native pine beetle made worse by human-demanded fire suppression. Others have commented on the legality of hunting doves in season and hopefully the final, correct version of this will be summarized on this list-serv. A while back I asked the question of this group which avian predators birders have observed to take advantage of the new item on the menu. Many of you responded and it looks like Cooper's Hawk, Great Horned Owl, and many other raptors prey on Eurasian Collared-Doves. Probably the relationships are still being sorted out and will be interesting to follow. It would seem the vulnerability and year-round availability of nestlings/fledglings would be this bird's Achilles' heal, but it appears their ability to reproduce outpaces checks and balances somewhat. This cannot continue indefinitely and at some point a balance will be struck. Maybe legal hunting can help. Maybe experimenting with feeder types and foods can help. Maybe minimizing agricultural practices that spill and/or waste grain can help. Maybe weed management can help. But my bet is they are here to stay because we are here to stay. Dave Leatherman Fort Collins --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Re: EC Doves becoming nuisance birds
In September when dove hunting season begins, I suggest these beleaguered homeowners set up a punt gun in their back yard to clear nearby trees of EC doves (and all other living things.) J.J. Audubon would no doubt approve. Demo video below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7FeeamC4qk On Jun 10, 7:28 am, Kathleen Sharpe shar...@ucar.edu wrote: Dear CoBirds, Johnstown has now become overrun with what I believe are Eurasian Collared Doves to the point that neighborhoods are up in arms over the mess and noise, and are not appreciating these birds at all! One house roof is literally covered with droppings. I have been asked to request some guidance here on what steps they might take to encourage them to just go away. We have had frequent visits from a pair of Great Horned Owls who may have been nesting nearby. Do GHO's feed on doves? Anyone here have knowledge of what attracts the doves - what are their feeding preferences? -- Kathleen Sharpe --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Re: EC Doves becoming nuisance birds
It is not necessary to wait until hunting season because EC doves are not protected by the migratory bird act, and they are not game birds. Unfortunately there are laws about discharging firearms inside city limits. Best wishes Dave David Elwonger, who roosts at 6200' in Skyway in SW Colorado Springs --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[cobirds] Re: EC Doves becoming nuisance birds
Well put, Dave. I'm with you 100%. From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [cobi...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Dave Leatherman [daleather...@msn.com] Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 12:33 PM To: shar...@ucar.edu; cobirds@googlegroups.com Subject: [cobirds] Re: EC Doves becoming nuisance birds Kathleen et al, First off, let me say I am not a big fan of Eurasian Collared-Doves and will admit (somewhat ashamedly) that I did make the pilgrimage to The Good News Barber Shop in Rocky Ford on 20 July 1996 to see these birds first verified in Colorado (at the time) by Tony Leukering in June of '96. I have since seen a photo of what certainly appears to be a Eurasian Collared-Dove on a wire near Walsh in 1992, taken by Janeal Thompson. But philosophically this discussion sort of reminds me of problem deer, problem mountain lion, problem feedlot, and the problem landfill near the newly constructed upscale housing development discussions. In all these instances the wildlife or the problem human institution came before the objectors, OR the situation being objected to was created by or at least enhanced by the objectors. Humans imported Eurasian Collared-Doves to the West Indies from continents to the west, where they then apparently on their own jumped over to Florida and began to proliferate. Human land-use greated aided their spread in that these doves like the sorts of places that exist in cities and particularly in rural-urban interfaces. In part this is because of what they eat - plant seeds, including agricultural grains like wheat, milo, corn, weed seeds (many of them introduced by human endeavors), bird feeder fare like millet and other common offerings etc.. In my mind, even though they exist in many different habitat situations, they are the poster child for urban sprawl, climate change, drought, and other prominent social/meteorological issues of relevance to Colorado and much of the West. That their numbers have exploded should not be a surprise when we look back at where they are and what they like. By the same token, because we are a large part of why collared-doves have become a nuisance in many settings, I personally believe it is morally justifiable for us to be part of the solution. Similarly, I thought it was ecologically correct for the agency I worked for during my career to find and eradicate the exotic gypsy moth, to prevent and warn folks about the potential for importation of the exotic emerald ash borer, and even to moderate the impacts of the native pine beetle made worse by human-demanded fire suppression. Others have commented on the legality of hunting doves in season and hopefully the final, correct version of this will be summarized on this list-serv. A while back I asked the question of this group which avian predators birders have observed to take advantage of the new item on the menu. Many of you responded and it looks like Cooper's Hawk, Great Horned Owl, and many other raptors prey on Eurasian Collared-Doves. Probably the relationships are still being sorted out and will be interesting to follow. It would seem the vulnerability and year-round availability of nestlings/fledglings would be this bird's Achilles' heal, but it appears their ability to reproduce outpaces checks and balances somewhat. This cannot continue indefinitely and at some point a balance will be struck. Maybe legal hunting can help. Maybe experimenting with feeder types and foods can help. Maybe minimizing agricultural practices that spill and/or waste grain can help. Maybe weed management can help. But my bet is they are here to stay because we are here to stay. Dave Leatherman Fort Collins --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups Colorado Birds group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
