Workshop #2 Nest Construction, New Haven

On December 15, 2005, Anna Dove wrote:

For several people to band together on behalf of the quakers and go against a large conglomerate - there are no words to describe this. On one hand we see evil at its worst; and then goodness at its highest - both humans.

On December 15, 2005, M wrote:

How I wish we had brought a lawsuit against UI. Seems as though they are still performing cruelty. How come they can get away with this?? They still are getting their way by making these birds freeze to death and have no homes. These are the most evil ,mean , heartless people I have ever come across. Anyone who is participating in this are animal and wildlife killers. We all know what they say about people whom are cruel to animals/wildlife or any living creature. Thankfully i do not know people like this nor would i want to be associated in any way with such mean people. I do not understand the urgency to do this during winter. UI should handle this like the other states that have done so humanely. Shame on UI and all the others involved in this.

Blog editors’ note: Shame on UI, indeed. Friends of Animals expects to be back in court in January.

On December 15, 2005, M wrote:

I know you are trying your best FOA. But to say you’ll be back in court in January gives UI enough time to take all the nests down before then! Thats their plan. I guess they said we will not gas them but we will take all the nests down,was that the agreement? Did they trick everyone and are they still lying?? Is the court aware of this new action? It seems they(UI,Courts,Others) have done absolutely NOTHING to rectify the situation in a humane way. THEY ARE STILL PERFORMING CRUELTY!!! Sure I’m glad they are not gassing them (i hope someone is watching over them) who knows maybe they probably are? They(UI) are liars and sneaks! We need to watch them VERY CAREFULLY!!

Blog editors’ note: The company stopped taking nests down except for in its current phase of the eradications, where it plans to remove only the nests that have already been emptied. As you mention, if birds have repopulated there, such removal would likely be fatal to the birds and would thus defeat the spirit of the agreement to hold off on the killings. The reason for the platforms is to give the birds a better option. And the community must be vigilant. Keep up these communications so that the advocates and the media are informed. The agreement so far is far from perfect; but it’s drawing statements from lawmakers that it’s clear the community finds maltreatment of these birds unacceptable, and that the company must develop a policy that ensures respectful conduct.

On December 16, 2005, Rick wrote:

hello again I live in South Texas and here we welcome the little Monk Parrot. If anyone can let UI Co. know that I would take these little guys in I would greatly appreciate it. I would even pay for the shipping and handling or if anyone would like to send them to me I will gladly pay for the over night postage and house them during the winter til spring when I could release them I have a portable car port converted into a barn/aviery to house them. If you do decide to send some to me try to send as many as possible so the postage won’t be so much. Thanks Rick

Blog editors say: If this is a spoof, it’s pretty good.

On December 17, 2005, Ellen Sweeney wrote:

It is incomprehensible that poor animals of all species have succumb to cruelty that requires our legal system to intervene.
Is it not easier and definately less expensive to use compassion and understanding than to fight these acts of cruelty through our courts. It is becoming sickening that the almight dollar takes presedence over basic human kindness.

Will it end when we become the ones being eradicated by a more intelligent and powerful being? It becomes more evident that people must band together for the rights of animals just so they may exist. How terribly sad is this? They have been here for millions of years, so who gives us the right to decide whether they live or die?

On December 17, 2005, Becca wrote:

I Hate those that are cruel to animals. ..Yes they can be noisy, and damaging, but they are a beautiful animal. Are they doing the same thing to eagles that nest in the lightpoles or near them.. NO for if they do that is a federal law violation. We can not allow them to hurt or make homeless anymore of our feathered friends. I do on the other hand, believe if the nest is in a spot that can cause massive damage to remove it, but in the least replace it with adequeat substitution, that the birds can keep warm and thrive in or near.

To gas them if they are doing that to the feathered friends, then lets give them a taste of their own medicine. Because to harm or even kill another friend is NOT acceptible to me and by the looks of it, other people that have posted here.

Blog editors’ note: Monk Parakeets deserve to live free and wild. If you are a customer of United Illuminating, keep your holiday lights off. That’s a message they understand.

On December 17, 2005, Donna from NJ wrote:

Just checked UIC’s website and they specifically address the monk parakeet issue. They state that that before they remove a nest from a power line that the birds are captured and handed over to the USDA, which does the euthanizing or conducts research (which sounds even more scarier for the poor creatures). What is listed there seems to contradict the Editor’s blog notes from 12/15. I am unclear as to whether this process of handing birds over to the USDA for “disposal” is still occurring. Is this a loophole- i.e. UIC is NOT killing the birds but instead the USDA is doing the dirty work for them with the end results being that the birds are still dying?

Blog editors’ note: Parakeets are no longer being captured, nor is the usda gassing them for the remainder of this year. Stay posted to our web site for updates. Don’t count on ui for any reality checks.

On December 19, 2005, Betsy Christison wrote:

Did anyone contact the USDA to try to negotiate with them to pick up the birds? I do bird rescue in IL and work with others in St. Louis and Iowa, and emailed the USDA to offer to come get the birds in their possession and remove them from the state. Haven’t heard back. What is their stance on releasing the birds to rescues? This is not a spoof.

Blog editors’ note: We’d like to see Connecticut take the lead in permitting the birds to enjoy continued existence in the ecological system of which they’ve become a part here. The birds were doing just fine before the company decided all of the sudden that they had huge birds’ nests, having apparently neglected to do the routine maintenance that would have prevented this sudden crisis they claim the birds have caused.

On December 19, 2005, Michele wrote:

I live in Lordship and witnessed first hand the nest tear downs, it broke my heart. I am in the process of building a nesting platform for my yard. I am putting together a flyer to post on the community board in Lordship and distribute to neighbors telling them about the platform building. I have also contacted the 2 local newspapers asking them to write a short story about the nest building. I would ask everyone to pass the word along to friends and neighbors who do not know about the platforms. I think if more people knew about the plastforms they would build them.

On December 19, 2005, Karen Hujdic wrote:

I live in Shelton, but would like to know of anyone building platforms in the Stratford. I would like to donate 100 lbs of sunflower seeds to you or any neighboors that are hoping to attract the parakeets. Please email me at chooz2cruz@aol.com and I would like to help out in any way I can. Unfortunately, I live too far from the shore to have the birds in my yard, otherwise, I would put up a dozen platforms. Everyone, keep up the great work!

On December 22, 2005, linda hurlbur wrote:

I guess im writting this to try to alert west haveners that the UI company lied about leaving the monk parkettes alone.within 2 days they have removed 4 nest on frist ,main st nest about a half dozen still remain nestless.with the cold weather coming not sure if they will survive.the ui company lied so we would not look out for them and they are still out in west haven.please be on the lookout and lets try to scare them away again ……..thanks

On December 22, 2005, MJ wrote:

I’m glad UI thinks no one is watching!! Well UI wait till January. It amazes me that they can still perform animal/wildlife cruelty and get away with it? Why is that? They failed to upkeep their lines and now they are taking it out on innocent Monk Parakeets. Try leaving your kids out all night in the cold or even your cat or dog! Probably these people who are responsible for doing this do just that!

On December 22, 2005, Karen wrote:

Please, anyone willing to help these parakeets in the areas where they have been tearing down nests, please respond. There is a plan to erect platforms that hopefully, the displaced birds with inhabit. If you are in the areas, please contact marc@fosterparrots.com to help. They are looking for people where the nests are being removed to put up platforms to attract the parrots to nest. They are really in need of help. These birds need to find places to nest to get out of the cold. PLEASE HELP!

On December 24, 2005, Karen wrote:

There is going to be a building session on Wednesday, Dec 28 from 3-7 in Fairfield. Anyone interested in helping out the displaced surviving birds whose nests were torn down and their families gassed, please contact marc@fosterparrots.com. We will be gathering to make alternate nesting platforms for them. We have the use of a very generous homeowner willing to let us use their heated garage for the session. We need to get these up ASAP so the birds can survive the frigid temperatures.

On January 1, 2006, Lenore Daninhirsch wrote:

These beautiful birds come to my bird feeder every morning. They are the gentlest, non-aggressive little creatures you have ever seen. As they gently eat one seed at a time and move over for each other, they begin and end my day in the most precious way. When I heard what the UI was doing I was outraged. All I could picture were these trusting souls rounded up while watching their homes being destroyed and their families separated. Sure reminded me of other times in American and world history. I want to build a nest for them in my backyard. I live in Milford but there are no nests here. If I build some will they come???

On March 15, 2006, Bertilla Baker Thompson wrote:

My husband and I live in Norwalk, and we see the Monks every day. We’d love to build a nest for them. We have a feeder that attracts lots of Native birds, but not the Monks. What do they eat? How high does the feeder have to be? Do they eat from platform feeders? Can someone who’s built a nest and fill us in on the rest of the details of the construction of the bunker that we don’t understand from the blueprint?

On October 16, 2006, doe bertotti wrote:

we MUST do all we can to protect ALL the animals turtles in FL. the cormorants who do not compete for nesting all they want to do all day is eat fish that no human will eat

On December 24, 2006, John Fink wrote:

If I were you I would think about covering the plywood with something, possibly aluminum or roll roofing material. The pvc pipe should last pretty long but the exposed plywood will not hold up to well to the elements.

On March 2, 2007, arlene wrote:

I live in Whitestone (Queens)and have following the progress of a group of monk parrots over the past 10 years. There are at least 15 nests within 15 blocks of my home (most on power lines), and I am worried that ConEd or the phone company will start removing them, as they did remove one last year. Between 2 and 24 parrots have been feeding in my yard and I am thinking of constructing a monk bunker in my yard. Has anyone built one, and have they had success? The nearest existing nest to my house is about 5 blocks away.

I would love to hear from anyone who has built a bunker to help these little guys who soon may be homeless.

Arlene