by johnnymarin | Jan 12, 2018 | Pigeons in the News
Our power to send a species into oblivion was first documented in 1598 when Portuguese sailors landing on the shores of the Southeast African island of Mauritius, discovered a previously unknown species of gigantic pigeon, the dodo, Raphus cucullatus, so named for its lack of fear of men who killed them. Another aspect of their demise were the confounded rats that deserted the ships and came ashore to help eat native animals and plants into extinction.
Having been isolated from contact with humanity by its island location, the immense pigeon waddled over and greeted the new visitors with a child-like innocence. The sailors, however, mistook the gentle spirit of the dodo, and its lack of fear for stupidity and dubbed the bird “dodo” (similar to simpleton in Portuguese).
Because the bird was larger than our Thanksgiving turkey — but far easier to catch — hungry sailors killed them by the tens of thousands and those that survived the sailor’s appetite had to face introduced rats, cats and dogs.
Dogs, pigs and rats carried-on ships soon became feral after being released into the Mauritian ecosystem. Due to the sailors meat-hunting and predation by introduced animals, in a mere 83 years, the last dodo was dead.
The world was left worse with its passing.
As one of the earliest recorded examples of modern eco-vandalism, the impact of the Portuguese sailors on Mauritius not only wiped out the poor old dodo, but also further disrupted nature in unexpected ways. Soon after the dodo became extinct, the Mauritian “calvaria” trees seeds stopped sprouting and it appeared it would soon face extinction itself. Apparently, calvaria seeds would only germinate after passing through the dodo bird’s digestive system.
You’d think with the story of the dodo bird as an example of our ability to wipe out a species we would have been more sensitive to our responsibilities. The fate of the passenger pigeon proved otherwise as they were perhaps the most abundant bird ever to live on the face of the earth.
In the early 1800s they were estimated to be in the billions and could be found in forests from the east side of the rockies to upper New York state. Moreover, when they migrated to their southern haunts in winter, millions of them were seen in immense flights — over a mile-wide and 300 miles long — so many birds they blotted out the sun. The sun!
Passenger pigeons nested in colonies of such magnitude it is almost unbelievable — over 100 nests in just one tree. Multiply that by millions of trees in hardwood forests throughout the Midwest and East and you come up with billions of birds.
Unfortunately, it was those 300-mile long flocks of passenger pigeons that led to their demise; meat hunters selling their remains to the hotels in New York believed they were inexhaustible.
Passenger pigeons were a little larger than present day rock doves and flew just about as fast – close to 60 miles an hour. Hunters who didn’t want to waste ammunition trying to hit such a fast flyer found it was a lot easier to kill them when they were nesting — as the plume-hunters discovered in the early 1900s when they slaughtered egrets, just for their feathers to put in lady’s hats.
Pigeons killed at the nesting sites left eggs and young to die; consequently the fate of the passenger pigeon was sealed. Only one egg was laid normally, incubated by the female and fed by both parents, but only until the youngster could stand and had feathers. About two weeks after hatching the adults just up and deserted the chick, leaving it to fend for itself.
With the advent of the telegraph, meat-hunters knew exactly where pigeons were at all times, and exactly when they arrived at the nesting trees and then set about slaughtering them. Only the breasts were taken, packed in ice and delivered by train to expensive restaurants in New York and other eastern cities.
By 1910, there was only one female passenger pigeon left on Earth, Martha (named after Martha Washington, wife of the first president of our country), living in the Cincinnati Zoo. At 1pm, on Sept. 1, 1914, Martha died at the age of 29 years.
Looking at the growing population of American bald eagles flying around Oregon today, I’m so thankful that we have learned a lesson from the passing of the dodo bird and passenger pigeon. But as I look at the destruction of our greater sage grouse habitat, converted into cow pastures and the new dictate from President Trump cutting up our national parks, I wonder, “Have we really learned our lesson?”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Jan 11, 2018 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
The first quarter-century of President Thomas S. Monson’s life came with boyhood fun, a little mischief and several foundational lessons that prepared him for a lifetime of service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In a 1986 church magazine article, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve wrote that President Monson grew up without many of life’s luxuries, but his “tender heart and compassionate nature” made him aware of those around him who needed special attention.
“Indeed, his childhood experiences seem to have been part of a divinely directed training process which would sensitize Thomas Monson to the plight of the poor for the rest of his life,” Elder Holland wrote.
Born on Aug. 21, 1927, to G. Spencer and Gladys Condie Monson, President Monson grew up during the Great Depression surrounded by uncles, aunts and grandparents.
One of the highlights of his youth came each summer when his family stayed at their cabin at Vivian Park in Provo Canyon, which he described as a “boy’s paradise.” It was there that President Monson developed the skills for a lifelong love of fishing.
One summer when he was 8 years old, President Monson learned an important lesson. In his April 2013 conference talk “Obedience Brings Blessings,” he admitted that he and a friend started a fire in Provo Canyon.
The boys wanted to host an evening campfire for all their friends. But the field they selected was covered by dry, prickly June grass. President Monson had an idea.
“All we need to do is set these weeds on fire,” he said. “We’ll just burn a circle in the weeds.”
Although both boys had been warned about the dangers of fire, the young Tommy got some matches and set the grass ablaze. He thought the fire would only burn as far as they wanted before magically extinguishing itself. The boys soon realized it would not, and, with no other options, ran for help.
Over the next several hours, residents fought the blaze and put out the fire before any major damage was done.
“Danny and I learned several difficult but important lessons that day,” President Monson said. “Not the least of which was the importance of obedience.”
President Monson learned another pivotal lesson while attending Primary at age 10. As his class of rowdy children exited one day, young Tommy noticed his teacher was crying. He asked what was wrong. She felt bad because she couldn’t control the class. She asked if young Tommy could help her with keeping the class reverent and he happily agreed to do so.
“What I didn’t know then is that I was one of those responsible for her tears,” President Monson said in a March 2010 church magazine article. “She had effectively enlisted me to aid in achieving reverence in our Primary. And we did.”
Another noteworthy part of President Monson’s youth was his fascination with pigeons, which became a lifelong hobby. According to his biography, “To the Rescue,” by Heidi S. Swinton, his interest in pigeons “took flight” when he and his friends figured out how to catch the birds as they landed on a neighborhood fence.
President Monson later purchased a pair of Birmingham roller pigeons, which he named Rump and Rolly. He also raised rabbits and chickens, earning countless ribbons at county and state fairs over the decades that followed.
President Monson was forced to leave his pigeons behind when he served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, shortly before the end of World War II. He eventually returned home to complete his education at the University of Utah.
He married Frances Beverly Monson in the Salt Lake Temple in 1948. Over the next 11 years, three children — Tom, Ann and Clark — were born into the family.
In 1950, the 22-year-old was called to be the bishop of his boyhood 6th-7th Ward, which then included more than 1,000 members, more than 80 widows and the greatest welfare responsibility in the church. Yet “he went about doing good” and few fell through the cracks in the 6th-7th Ward, Swinton wrote. Somehow he shouldered his calling and career without neglecting his young family.
His leadership and service influenced many lives. He energized members, increased attendance and demonstrated a talent for turning welfare needs into opportunities for other members of the ward to serve. He wrote letters to missionaries and military servicemen. He also provided friendship and tender care for the widows, often using his vacation time to personally deliver a gift to each one at Christmas time.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Jan 10, 2018 | Pigeons in the News
PLANS by the Scottish Parliament to spend £80,000 using birds of prey to scare away pigeons have been called into question.
Hawks and falcons are brought in regularly to fly over the building to deter pigeons from making it their home.
But MSPs say the unwanted birds have become wise to the scheme and simply wait for them to be taken away by their handler before settling back on the roofs and ledges of the £414 million building.
The parliament has renewed its maintenance contract – which includes an £80,000 on the birds of prey –for another five years with a possible two-year extension.
It is believed that pigeon numbers are as low as they are likely to go but the parliament believes the hawks and falcons are necessary to stop them increasing again.
Lothian Tory MSP Miles Briggs, a member of the cross-party animal welfare group at Holyrood, said it was time to reconsider spending so much money on the bird handler.
He said: “I don’t think they have looked at how effective it is actually being.
“For a lot of building users it has become a bit of a joke. The pigeons are sitting up on Arthur’s Seat waiting for him to go away.
“The pigeons seem to be quite bright. The effectiveness of him turning up now and again is questionable at least.”
A parliament spokesman said: “Like many buildings in Edinburgh, a small number of pigeons visit regularly. We are aware the problem can never be fully eradicated.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Jan 9, 2018 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
Scottish Parliament bosses have been urged to rethink spending £80,000 on using birds of prey to scare away pigeons after their effectiveness was called into question.
Hawks and falcons are brought in regularly to fly over the Scottish Parliament building to deter pigeons from making it their home.
But MSPs say that the unwanted birds have gotten wise to the scheme and simply wait for them to be taken away by their handler before settling back on the roofs and ledges of the £414 million building.
The parliament has renewed its maintenance contract – which includes an £80,000 on the birds of prey – for another five years with a possible two-year extension.
It is believed that pigeon numbers are low as they are likely to go but the parliament believes the hawks and falcons are necessary to stop them increasing again.
Lothian Tory MSP Miles Briggs, a member of the cross-party animal welfare group at Holyrood, said it was time to reconsider spending so much money on the bird handler.
He said:”I don’t think they have looked at how effective it is actually being.
“For a lot of building users it has become a bit of a joke. The pigeons are sitting up on Arthur’s Seat waiting for him to go away.
“The pigeons seem to be quite bright. The effectiveness of him turning up now and again is questionable at least.”
The Holyrood building was plagued by pigeons even before it officially opened in 2004.
Muck and feathers were blown through vents onto researchers’ desks and some birds even got into MSPs’ offices.
The cross-party Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, which oversees the building, brought in birds of prey as a deterrent nine years ago.
Mr Briggs said: “When the MSP office block was first built there were so many nooks
and crannies it was like a massive pigeon loft, but that has all been netted off now.
“That probably had more effect displacing the pigeon population than the man
coming to fly his birds of prey.
Wallace the Harris Hawk at the Scottish Parliament.
“The corporate body needs to review this decision and whether it’s an effective use of taxpayers’ money to have the man coming with his birds of prey.
“The pigeons seem to have got wise to it.”
Monthly reports by the contractors to the Scottish Parliament claim between 50 and 65 per cent of pigeons are dispersed during their presence on site.
But the numbers seem to return to roughly the same level after they have gone.
A parliament spokesman said: “Like many buildings in Edinburgh, a small number of pigeons visit regularly.
“We are aware the problem can never be fully eradicated and we will continue with the current approach.”
The idea of trapping pigeons as a way of cutting the numbers has been ruled out.
Five of the contractors’ monthly reports – from January to May – recommended: “Trapping of birds can also be considered to further reduce numbers on site.”
But any reference to trapping was then dropped from later reports.
A parliament spokesman said: “We have no plans to use traps.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Jan 8, 2018 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
In Peru, the government is currently running a program that we might call the Internet of Garbage Vultures (IoGB), fitting GPS-enabled mobile GoPro cameras to vultures, so that these scavenging birds can be used in the fight to identify and eradicate illegal dumping of waste.
According to a report on ABC News Australia, “Ten trained vultures wearing purpose-designed vests have already started to monitor the city from above with the help of tracking technology as part of the Vultures Detect program, and have been carefully trained to return to their keepers.”
This trend is growing. The central north African country of Chad has developed a similar initiative and fitted dogs with IoT sensors to track down diseases and the United Kingdom has begun a program to use pigeons to monitor air pollution.
But you don’t just switch on collective intelligence overnight. Whether data comes from from humans or from IoT initiatives, engineering information streams so that they can be woven into the operational fabric of government is a big challenge.
In a January 2016 Nesta white paper, Governing with Collective Intelligence, authors Tom Saunders and Geoff Mulgan point out that adopting collective intelligence is not always easy. “Many governments resist openness and citizen input of any kind. Sometimes this is out of a sense that governments know best,” they write.”More often, it is because political organizations created many years ago lack the mechanisms to easily request, absorb, analyze and act upon ideas and information offered by citizens, external organizations [and other external sources].”
To overcome these challenges, the public sector needs a clear strategy to make use of the collective intelligence not just of citizens but also sensors, meters, devices – and, indeed, vultures dogs and pigeons.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
