Tuesday, March 31, 2009
WildLife ALERT At Lochside Pond
Please Respect the Wildlife around the Lochside Pond.
Swans are nesting and do not want distractions from Cats, Dogs, Children, fishermen, and Dogowners/Catowners.
1 Please do not allow Cats to run free around the pond area. Cats are a distraction and threat to the Swan's Cygnets and other birds. Reminder: There is a Cary leash law that pertains to both Cats and Dogs.
2 Please keep your dogs away from the swans and other birds. Dogs are a distraction and threat to the swan's Cygnets and other birds.
3 Please educate your children not to threaten the swans. Undisciplined children are a distraction and threat to the Swan's Cygnets and other birds.
4 Please refrain from fishing while the swans are raising their Cygnets. Fishermen are a distraction and threat to the Swan's Cygnets and other birds,
If we act responsibly and comply with the above requests the Swan's will be better able to protect their Cygnet's from other predators such as Turtles, and Hawks.
Last Summer the Swan's had lost all four of their cygnets in a matter of just three weeks. We personally saw the swans' abandon their cygnets while chasing geese out of the pond. The geese were forced into the water by an insensitive dogowner.
Thanks for being a "Friend of Wild Life : FOWL" ...... 3/31/2009
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Last summer, while protecting its cygnets one of the swans was stuck in the neck with a fishing hook. While this was probably an accident, it is another example of what these swans are subjected to. This was a barbed hook. Barbed hooks are banned at the lakes and not to be used by fishermen.
ReplyDeleteAlso last summer, a neighbor on the pond reported seeing a dead cygnet in the yard across the pond where free roaming cats are frequently seen.
This summer the swan's cygnets will attract a lot of onlooker attention. The key to cygnet survival is not to create distractions that can cause the adult swans to abandon the cygnets leaving them unprotected.
Also you will see ducklings and goslings with their parents running around the pond area. Dogowners should be careful to keep dogs away from the young waterfowl families. Forcing young ducks and geese into the pond with the swans will expose them to injury.
In the case of the swan with the stuck hook, we can envision this scenario:
Fishermen are fishing while a dogowner forces geese/ducks into the water causing swans to chase geese/ducks around the pond while dogowner enjoys the show.Swan runs into the fishing line and gets hooked. See our live action video (goose chase) and visualize some fishermen in that picture that creates this dangerous scenario.
Trick question when it comes to wildlife abuse:
Which is worse 1) a dog without a leash? or 2) a dog on a leash guided by the dogowner? Or 3) a dogowner at the end of the leash guided by the dog on the leash? Answer : All of the Above!
When we put a wetland in the middle of a residential area, we had better accept the responsibility for the safety of the wildlife that inhabit the area; otherwise we are part of the problem.
Responsible dogowners will keep their dogs on a short leash and away from the wildlife when passing the pond area. Wildlife watching should be done without the presence of dogs which are a threat to the Wildlife. "This should be a no brainer."
That being said, most residents that we observe and meet at the pond area do act responsibly and respect the wildlife. Hopefully this summer, with due respect from all residents, we won't have to ask the question "What happened to the all the cygnets?"
Our Motto is "No Harm To WildLife"
Regards,
FOWL
I totally agree. I saw the results of a dog at another lake that unknowingly caused the geese to run back into the water. This site offers the opportunity to educate the public.I don't think most people realize the dominoe effects of this behavior. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThe wetlands belong to the Residents.
ReplyDeleteResponsible residents want no threats and no harm to the wildlife that inhabit their wetlands.
Unfortunately there will always be the uncaring, mindless, and/or mean spirited few that will ignore their responsibility.