I just wanted to share with you an article from the Newburyport Daily News, June 8th.
"Meadow Carnage on Schedule again"
"Meadow Carnage on Schedule again"
Viewpoint:
Bernadette Lucas
Amesbury
I want to take this opportunity to update everyone on the meadow bird issue at Woodsom Farm in Amesbury.
Early mowing of Woodsom Farm was first brought to the town's attention in 2006, and despite our efforts, nothing has changed, and we continue to be in violation of the Migratory Bird Act. In previous years, the mayor agreed to leave four of the 12 hay fields untouched until after July 15. Not ideal, but a compromise. This agreement was only honored the year it rained and the fields couldn't be mowed. Last year, after four visits and four promises of delayed hay cutting, the mayor approved early mowing. The reason was the farmer didn't see any bobolinks, meadowlarks or Savannah sparrows. According to the mayor, the farmer looked, did not see any birds and requested early mowing. Mr. Kezer and farmer McGovern both decided that due to the dry weather, the bird's maturation rate was speeded up and the chicks fledged early. Unfortunately, bird development doesn't speed up due to hot weather, and many birds were unnecessarily killed. I am concerned that the farmer making the decision when to mow is like having the wolf guard the sheep and I think the biology is a bit off.
Several of us approached the Conservation Commission for help. David Larson from Mass Audubon spoke eloquently about the problems early mowing caused the birds. He explained that attracting birds to the fields and then killing them significantly reduces the bird population. He suggested that it would be better for the birds to not mow the fields than to mow them early. The field would become unattractive and they would simply nest elsewhere. At that meeting, the Conservation Commission agreed to bring this issue to the mayor, but, unfortunately, they have fared no better. The intent is to mow the field as usual. It doesn't matter if early mowing is one day or three weeks early. The end result is the same. As Dave Larson implied, scrambled birds.
The mayor claims that early mowing is essential because this is when the farmer wants to mow, and we must keep him happy. Evidently, Mr. McGovern is the only farmer interested in the field. I have my doubts about this. According to The National Resource Conservation Services, the number of bales of hay harvested at the farm would range from 11,500 to 69,300 bales with a net wholesale value of this hay between $46,200 and $277,200. For the retail value, simply multiply by four. I can't believe that no other farmer would be interested in this deal, but then, we really don't know because we have never put it out to bid. It is amazing that we have a valuable resource and we don't even know its value. Perhaps we could find a bid that would bring in revenue that would actually save teacher and tutor jobs. It is interesting to note that other local towns put the mowing out to bid, make a little money and protect the birds. We are able to find farmers to mow the other fields. Why can't they mow Woodsom?
One argument for early mowing is that this is how we have been doing it for 100 years. I believe modern machinery is much more efficient today than 100 years ago, giving the birds less time to escape. Another argument is that not many people are interested in the birds. I didn't think doing the right thing is dependent upon how many people like it.
Several years ago, the City of Amesbury contracted Audubon to conduct a study, and we have failed to comply with the suggestions. Why pay thousands of dollars for a study and then not comply? We could take ethical steps and hold off on the haying for a couple of weeks. There are alternative solutions if we were willing to investigate them.
Too bad we couldn't adopt some of the philosophy of Teddy Roosevelt, who stated that harming one species of animals on this planet is like destroying all the Renoirs in Europe.
Please help us save these birds by calling the mayor, writing editorials and perhaps taking a stand at the farm.
I couldn't stand by idle and wrote this letter to the Editor.
June 10, 2011
Birds need protection now
The Daily News of Newburyport Fri Jun 10, 2011, 03:55 AM EDT
To the editor:
I read with great interest and disgust, "Meadow bird carnage on schedule again" (June 8). This possibly cannot be allowed.
Why isn't the Migratory Bird Act enforced and the perpetrators held accountable? This is a blatant disregard for not only the law but for the welfare of our environment and the creatures that live here. Mowing down live birds is sick and cruel.
Sick and cruel.
I believe the Humane Society should now get involved.
V Atlantis
Salisbury
Text Only Photo Reprints
Amesbury
I want to take this opportunity to update everyone on the meadow bird issue at Woodsom Farm in Amesbury.
Early mowing of Woodsom Farm was first brought to the town's attention in 2006, and despite our efforts, nothing has changed, and we continue to be in violation of the Migratory Bird Act. In previous years, the mayor agreed to leave four of the 12 hay fields untouched until after July 15. Not ideal, but a compromise. This agreement was only honored the year it rained and the fields couldn't be mowed. Last year, after four visits and four promises of delayed hay cutting, the mayor approved early mowing. The reason was the farmer didn't see any bobolinks, meadowlarks or Savannah sparrows. According to the mayor, the farmer looked, did not see any birds and requested early mowing. Mr. Kezer and farmer McGovern both decided that due to the dry weather, the bird's maturation rate was speeded up and the chicks fledged early. Unfortunately, bird development doesn't speed up due to hot weather, and many birds were unnecessarily killed. I am concerned that the farmer making the decision when to mow is like having the wolf guard the sheep and I think the biology is a bit off.
Several of us approached the Conservation Commission for help. David Larson from Mass Audubon spoke eloquently about the problems early mowing caused the birds. He explained that attracting birds to the fields and then killing them significantly reduces the bird population. He suggested that it would be better for the birds to not mow the fields than to mow them early. The field would become unattractive and they would simply nest elsewhere. At that meeting, the Conservation Commission agreed to bring this issue to the mayor, but, unfortunately, they have fared no better. The intent is to mow the field as usual. It doesn't matter if early mowing is one day or three weeks early. The end result is the same. As Dave Larson implied, scrambled birds.
The mayor claims that early mowing is essential because this is when the farmer wants to mow, and we must keep him happy. Evidently, Mr. McGovern is the only farmer interested in the field. I have my doubts about this. According to The National Resource Conservation Services, the number of bales of hay harvested at the farm would range from 11,500 to 69,300 bales with a net wholesale value of this hay between $46,200 and $277,200. For the retail value, simply multiply by four. I can't believe that no other farmer would be interested in this deal, but then, we really don't know because we have never put it out to bid. It is amazing that we have a valuable resource and we don't even know its value. Perhaps we could find a bid that would bring in revenue that would actually save teacher and tutor jobs. It is interesting to note that other local towns put the mowing out to bid, make a little money and protect the birds. We are able to find farmers to mow the other fields. Why can't they mow Woodsom?
One argument for early mowing is that this is how we have been doing it for 100 years. I believe modern machinery is much more efficient today than 100 years ago, giving the birds less time to escape. Another argument is that not many people are interested in the birds. I didn't think doing the right thing is dependent upon how many people like it.
Several years ago, the City of Amesbury contracted Audubon to conduct a study, and we have failed to comply with the suggestions. Why pay thousands of dollars for a study and then not comply? We could take ethical steps and hold off on the haying for a couple of weeks. There are alternative solutions if we were willing to investigate them.
Too bad we couldn't adopt some of the philosophy of Teddy Roosevelt, who stated that harming one species of animals on this planet is like destroying all the Renoirs in Europe.
Please help us save these birds by calling the mayor, writing editorials and perhaps taking a stand at the farm.
I couldn't stand by idle and wrote this letter to the Editor.
June 10, 2011
Birds need protection now
The Daily News of Newburyport Fri Jun 10, 2011, 03:55 AM EDT
To the editor:
I read with great interest and disgust, "Meadow bird carnage on schedule again" (June 8). This possibly cannot be allowed.
Why isn't the Migratory Bird Act enforced and the perpetrators held accountable? This is a blatant disregard for not only the law but for the welfare of our environment and the creatures that live here. Mowing down live birds is sick and cruel.
Sick and cruel.
I believe the Humane Society should now get involved.
V Atlantis
Salisbury
Text Only Photo Reprints
Unfortunately the prevailing mindset (other than shear laziness to take action and an unwillingness to do the right thing) is "There are other problems in the world much larger than a few dead bird". No one can look at an individual problem on it's own, and take action to solve it. It's always about "The big picture". What they don't realize is that by solving the little problems one at a time, you create the space and resources necessary to tackle the big ones.
ReplyDeleteWell put, V. I hope others follow your lead.