Editor:
Re: Crows warrant a major recount, June 10 letters; Doing nothing puts birds at risk, May 29 letters.
Recent letters about the evils of crows in our community are quite appalling and uninformed.
Crows seem to be getting the blame for everything bad that is happening in our neighbourhoods.
The decline of songbirds; loud and aggressive behavior; the ‘pitbull of birds’? What next? Crows seen robbing a bank?
In University of Washington professor John Marzluff’s book, Subirdia, we learn that the decline of songbirds is mostly due to us!
A look around our neighbourhoods reveal that there is very little natural and native habitat left for songbirds. We have destroyed most of it with herbicides, pesticides and rampant development.
A songbird would have to pack a lunch to survive in most of our neighbourhoods these days. House cats are responsible for the deaths of billions of songbirds each year and squirrels, jays, hawks, other birds and even mice raid nests of eggs as well.
Crows are so intelligent that they will remember your face for years. They live in family units and are loyal, protective parents and family members. We have tried poisoning to shooting them, yet they are still willing be our friend.
If you want to make a good friend, just throw a crow a peanut. You will have a friend for life.
It’s time to cast off the ignorant old ways of thinking about our friend the crow and embrace the joy that they can give to us all.
Brad Wellman, Surrey
• • •
We have always enjoyed the variety of birdsong during the almost 40 years living here, until recently.
We, like other letter writers, have noticed a continual reduction in song birds over the last three or four years. This year we are hardly hearing any in our neighbourhood!
We agree that the huge increase in the crow population is the main reason. We believe people feeding the crows and exposed garbage are the main causes for this problem.
The City of White Rock is a big contributor. Most residents are unaware that White Rock dumps its rotting residential kitchen waste into open containers and on the ground, in the middle of a residential neighbourhood, using this yard as an unapproved transfer station.
They leave a banquet for all vermin to access throughout the day and even some nights and weekends.
Dumping garbage in the middle of a residential neighbourhood in a city of two square miles does not make sense, especially since it still has to be taken to the proper approved facilities and is a health hazard. No wonder we have a murder of crows here!
We are heartened that the city is looking at ways to change and improve this situation. The June 30 community forum will be our chance to speak up and ensure White Rock gets out of the garbage business, as most of our neighbouring municipalities have done.
We urge you to let your voices be heard! Save our songbirds and our ‘City by the Sea’ at the same time.
Diane & Dave Bradley, White Rock
