Goose Nest Destroyed at Lochmere Small Lake

Goose Nest Destroyed at Lochmere Small Lake

Bird nest was obliterated during Apr. 9 or Apr. 10

Nest was located on the small island a few feet from shoreline which should have protected it from lake walkers/wDogs. However, someone with a long instrument could maliciously access the nest.

Nest was probably swept into the lake.

If witnessed, Please report illegal/malicious nest tampering of these shore birds.
The nest had eggs and was being cared for by mother goose.

click==> Before and After

Contrast this act of cruelty with:
click--> Mother goose lays eggs in Raleigh church playground

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Goose Killed at Lochmere Small Lake

Goose Killed at Lochmere Small Lake

April 1 2015

click...Goose Killed

It is sad to report the killing of this goose. In the video it appears that its family is in mourning.The goose was probably killed sometime between 5pm March 31 and April 1 AM.

Possible causes are:

1 SwampBoat testing the Lake Mar31 pm

The timing for this lake testing was not good. Shore birds have started their nesting.

This could have waited until Sept when birds would have migrated.

2 Unruly After Sunset Trespassers/wDog

Trespassers/wDog were spotted at the Lake on Mar31pm

This needs to cease.

3 Meanspirited person with pellet gun/other

This possibility should be reported to and investigated by NC State Wildlife. These birds are protected by state law. 

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Nesting Wildlife Endangerment Alert

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*!Wildlife Endangerment Alert!

Please Beware of Yard Workers with Loud Blowers/Mowers working around lake areas where shore birds are nesting!

If shore birds are nesting in your yard please advise yard workers to not disturb these nesting birds. 

You may want to delay your yard work until  after bird eggs are hatched. 

This would be the humane thing to do. .

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Comparing Rules of Conduct at State VS Local/City Lake Parks

Lake Areas Compared	Private or Public	No Trespassing After Sunset	Fishing	Fish Permit Required	Fishing String Disposal	Visitor Path	Pets	Rules Of Conduct	Shore Bird Protection	Conclusion	Comments
State Parks	Public	Enforced	Restricted Areas	License	Yes	Restricted Areas Only	Six Foot Leash and Keep Pets Away From Shore Birds	Published on Web + Signs	Best	Shore Birds Protected
Apex Lake Pine	Public	Enforced	Controlled by Permit	Permit for All and yearly renewal	Yes/ Specific for Fish Line	Yes/ Wide Path	Yes/ Long Leashes But Path is Away From Shore Bird Habitat	Published on Web + Signs	Good	Shore Birds Protected By Fishing Control and Fish Line Disposal
Raleigh Pullen Park	Public	Enforced	Not Controlled	No	Nothing Specific	Yes	Six Foot Leash and Must Keep Pets Away From Shore Birds	Signs Only - No Web Rules Published	Average	Shore Birds Protected by Dog Control
Cary Lake Parks	Public	Enforced	Not Controlled	No	Nothing Specific	Yes	Yes/ Long Leashes	Signs Only - No Web Rules Published	None - Enables Animal Cruelty	Shore Birds Not Protected	Worst Shore Bird Protection By Lack of Controls Enabling Animal Cruelty
Lochmere "Small Lake Path" Loch Lomond	Private But Not Enforced	Yes But Not Enforced	Not Controlled	No	Nothing Specific	Path is Extremely Narrow and Very Close to Shore Bird Habitat	Yes/ Long Leashes Allowing Dogs to Attack Risking Injury to Nearby Shore Birds	Signs Only - No Web Rules Published	None - Enables Animal Cruelty	Shore Birds Not Protected	Worst Shore Bird Protection By Lack of Controls Enabling Animal Cruelty

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 It is nesting season at the Lake areas. This is when birds are most vulnerable to abuse. Shore birds will need your protection and help. If you see Dogs/UnsupervisedKids attacking shore birds, Say/Do something.

 Please report/email/call witnessed cruelty to LochmereHOA/Police/AnimalControl and also to us FOWLNC@bellsouth.net  . Tell them you don't want your HOA/Tax dollars blindly supporting/enabling Animal Cruelty. And that you want "State Park Rules of Conduct" imposed/enforced at these LocalLakes and ShoreBird habitats. Reference this Website to support these claims.

 Last nesting season at Lochmere Small Lake it was reported that Bird nests were destroyed, Injured birds with broken wings, and Dead birds floating in the Lake. Thanks to "lack of simple low cost controls" that could have prevented these senseless acts of Animal Cruelty. 

Here are some simple property and life saving controls for starters:

1 Enforce No Trespassing AfterSunset
2 Setup Receptacles and Signage for Fishing String/Waste
3 Enforce No Illegal  Fishing/Boaters by Trespassers
 ie. eliminates harmful trash from illegal fishing
... anyone off the street with a fishing pole/boat can enter lake areas. This needs to cease.
4 Six foot leashes at Lake Areas
5 Keep dogs away from shore birds
6 Display "The Loch Lomond Sign Rules" at all Lake Areas including Boat Ramp and Lochside Pond Area that are exposed to unruly activities before and after sunset.

When building manmade wetlands careful consideration should be given to wildlife protections such as: Fishing control, Dog Control, and sufficient buffer between shore birds and public activity. 

Lake caretakers at a minimum should implement 1) fishing string disposals/signage, 2) Six foot limit for dog leashes/signage, 4) Keep Pets Away From Shore Birds/signage 3) Closed after sunset/signage

If these simple humane actions are implemented, it would deter most of the harm/abuse that shore birds are subjected to.

Caretakers that care are expected to implement these safeguards.

Caretakers that don't care should call the SPCA and turn themselves in.

Nothing gets done/fixed unless responsible people take responsible actions.  

 If Lochmere Small Lake "Loch Lomond" was a State controlled park it would be restricted to WALKERS ONLY : NO PETS ALLOWED. The path is extremely narrow and too close to the shore bird habitat which doesn't allow for safe pet activities. Two people can barely pass. Add to this trespassers, fishing, baby strollers, joggers/wDogs, unruly people on bikes, skateboards, skooters, and Dogs with long leashes: a recipe for disaster.

Sign At Small Lake : These are good rules for ruly people. However, sadly these rules are not enforced/controlled. So unruly people show their disrespect by easily hijacking the area with impunity because there is no active monitoring. When no one is watching the store, the store gets robbed. The sign clearly shows "Closed after sunset". Yet it is rampant with with unruly activity after sunset: Trespassers, Fishing, Joggers/wDogs, Dog Walkers, Walkers etc.. At a time when shore birds are roosting/nesting and a time when area homes want privacy. This creates an unsafe atmosphere not only for shore birds but for area homes. Residents don't want strangers hanging around their property, especially after sunset. This is when nesting shore birds are extremely vulnerable to harm by unruly after sunset lake users.
Nesting birds will be easily spooked and nests destroyed by these illegal activities occurring after sunset when the "Lake Path is Closed". Thereby contributing to inhumane treatment of wildlife. Responsible residents should report witnessed after sunset lake users to the Lochmere HOA and the Cary Police. The sign says "Enforced by Cary Police"? The police will only act if you do. 

Don't let your HOA/Tax dollars blindly contribute to enabling the mistreatment of Lochmere property and inhumane treatment of the WildLife. If unruly people are allowed to hijack the area then inhumane treatment of wildlife will prevail. Don't let that happen; otherwise we are blindly endorsing unruly behavior and inhumane treatment of wildlife. 



Words to live by : IF YOU DON'T LIKE WATERBIRDS DON'T LIVE OR GO NEAR THE WATER. YOU WON'T BE MISSED.

Dog Attacking Bird Family

WaterFowl Cruelty

Tip : Pause the music bar before viewing the video below

Goose Family in Distress at Small Lake

This is what happens when dogs are allowed to roam free  at water bird habitats. A practice that is prohibitive at State Parks. There are several shore birds at the Lochmere/Cary Lake areas that are/were severely/fatally injured by these kinds of unconscious/insensitive actions. These birds will defend their family against all threats and often end up with broken wings.
Which incapacitates their flying ability and exposes them to further harm. Lochmere and the Town of Cary need to comply with State Park Visitor Rules of Conduct.  Shore birds should be protected from harm at Local Cary/HOA lakes and parks as they are at State Parks. 

When viewing the video, notice that there is not much buffer from shore line to walking path. Which means even dogs with short leashes will have easy access to nesting shore birds.

Cat Killed by Leashed Dogs

Lochside/BigLake/SmallLake Swan Report

!!!!!!!!MISSING!!!!!!!!

Female Swan Is Missing From Lochside Pond.

Swan went missing between 3pm and 5:30pm on Wednesday Feb 18.

Please report if you have information as to why/how this swan went missing.

Perhaps you were driving/walking by the pond at this time and saw something?

Any help will be appreciated.

FOWLNC@bellsouth.net 
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Reported Swan Sightings:
Thanks to all who responded with
warm felt news of 2 sightings of the missing swan.

Report One:

Lone Swan was sighted at the Big Lake near Lochside drive.

Report Two:

"Most Encouraging/Revealing"
Lone Swan was sighted at the Lower Pond between Lochside and Wood Lily on the day it went missing. It is believed the swan had walked from the Upper Pond to the Lower Pond and then to the Big Lake on the day that it went missing.

Question is Why?
This female swan has never before left her mate in the many years that they were together?
The mate still remains at the upper pond awaiting her return. We think that he did not follow her because he is protecting his turf from being taken by others.

Many thanks to those who expressed concerns and best wishes for the female swan and her mate.

Sunday AM Feb 22:
Male swan has left the Lochside Pond to meet up with his female partner on the Big Lake?

There was an extra pair of swans spotted across the Big Lake
from Lochside Drive. It is believed to be the same pair from Lochside Pond. Because the usual pair were spotted at the same time near Lochmere Drive. So we now have two pair of swans at the Big Lake and none at Lochside Pond? If anyone gets a closer look the male swan has a "Chipped Beak" caused by fishing hooks in the summer of 2008.

Feb 24 Pm
The Lochside swans were sighted near the Cary Parkway end of the Big Lake. They probably will return to the Lochside Pond when the weather warms up. The icy pond probably wasn't giving them the freedom to mate. They usually go thru a mating ritual about this time of year and start building their nest during the month of March in time to lay eggs at the end of March and then hatching cygnets by the end of April. Sadly the cygnets will not make it thru the month of May due to predators and such. Two summers ago we almost had one, that was four months old, make it thru the summer; but it got sick and died from ingesting lead fishing pellets. She was taken to an animal hospital by Cary Animal Control, where her blood was tested and found to have high levels of lead content. They have yet to have a successful cygnet since they've been together.
Interesting to note is, ie. last summer, of the 3 pair of swans at Lochmere lakes/pond and a total of 15 hatched cygnets - none survived the summer. Here's wishing them better luck this year.

"Stay tuned for continued coverage"

Feb25
Both sighted at Big Lake near Lower Pond

Feb26
Male decided to reside at Lower Pond between Lochside and Wood Lily. Assume female is at Big Lake.

Feb27
Male at Lower Pond and assume female at Big Lake

Feb 28
Male at Lower Pond and female is spotted at Big Lake near Lower Pond. Which one will yield and meet up with the other?

Mar1
Male has worked his way back to Upper Pond. Assume female is still at the Big Lake.

Mar2
Male is back at Upper Pond. Female was spotted at Cary Parkway end of Big Lake

Mar3
Welcome Back
Back together again at upper pond





Mar16

Let's Build a Nest!
Nest Building Has Started

Mar29

Sunday AM
Sad to report the swans were run off their nest by yard workers with loud leaf blowers and mowers. 

As of 7:30pm they have yet to return to the nest.


Mar30

After working two+ weeks on a nest blown away by yard workers. The swans have started a 2nd nest away from the 1st.
The 2nd nest may not be available in time for egg laying.
It takes timing to build a robust nest in time for egg laying.
Hopefully the new nest is sufficient.

May10

Sad to report Lochside Swan's will not be hosting any cygnets this year due to nest destruction by area landscapers.
A second nest was attempted but was unsuccessful. The female finally gave up on the second nest. 

Another pair of swans at Lochmere's small lake started out with six cygnets about a week ago. However, all six were picked off by area predators/other. All six gone within a period of one week? The last three went missing in one day.

"Stay tuned for continued converage" 

June24

A Blue Heron with a fishing lure/string hanging from its head was observed at the small lake about a week ago.

Animal Cruelty Links

PuppyMills

SheepBrutality

BaldEagleLeadPoisoned

HorseCrueltyAtNCbeaches

SupportHorsesAtCorolla

Goose Shot With Arrow

Cat Killed by Leashed Dogs

Act of Kindness

WaterFowl Cruelty

Images of WaterFowl Cruelty

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Goose in Distress

Fishing String tightly entangled at leg. This was a Mother goose that probably was chased into fishing line by uncontrolled dog/dogowner.

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Duck In Distress

Fishing String attached to leg with dangling stick. This duck probably got entangled by carelessly discarded fishing string.

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Swan In Distress Rescued June2012

Double Hooked Lure in Beak and Neck caused by uncontrolled/careless fishing. This swan was raising two cygnets while getting caughtup by careless fishing. She couldn't eat for a few days and probably would have died if not finally rescued by caring neighbors. This rescue was a big todo because they were frightened trying to protect their cygnets. She is still at the Big Lake with her partner.

Correction : Male partner went missing on/about 7/2315. She is now without her mate.

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Lake Hazards from Careless Fishing. Discarded string, lead sinker, double hook fishing lure, lost arrows probably aimed at shore birds. Please pickup and safely dispose of these items when found at lake areas. 

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Cygnet In Distress

4month Old Cygnet Sick/Died from Lead Poison by ingesting lead fishing pellets that were carelessly discarded.

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Dead Swan

  

Dead full grown young swan, found near Boat Ramp,was the offspring of the resident swans. Possibly attacked by aggressive dog/s that are frequently seen jumping off the boat dock into the water where shore birds are present. Please report uncontrolled/unleashed dogs to Police when this illegal activity is witnessed.

Free roaming dogs jump out of SUV and focus on shore birds

Free roaming dogs attacking resident swans. 

Dogs are not Friends Of WildLife.

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SammyMov00690mpg

Goose With Broken Wing And Injured Foot caused by insensitive dog owner that allows dog to attack nesting geese so he can watch them jump and scatter haphazardly. This was near a traffic area where these birds could easily be chased into oncoming traffic. 

Hello World

Great Blue Heron

A report by Animal Control Officer indicated that a Blue Heron like this one, entangled in fishing string,  was found dead at Bond Lake Park.  They tried to help him but he would fly away and sadly was found dead a few days later. Another example of dangers of randomly discarded fishing string. Apex's Lake Pine Park has special containers for discarded fishing string. Lochmere and Cary Lake parks do not have containers nor have any signs to properly discard fishing string. Loose fishing line is a time bomb that injures and kills wildlife. Actions such as those by Apex should be followed by caretakers of all Lake Areas.


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Flying Geese

FOWL Videos

 
Goose with Broken Wing and injured foot

Goose Chase

These shore birds were chased into the water by another insensitive dogowner that allows dog to attack shore birds.  

Some Interesting Links about shore birds/wildlife

http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/07/12/577174/duck-duck-goose-car.html
http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/03/03/2722544/rescue-group-helping-birds-get.html
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/14/nation/na-exxon-birds14
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endangered_Species_Act
http://audubonportland.org/issues/get-involved/mbta/DeFazio
http://audubonportland.org/issues/get-involved/mbta/arrests
http://austringer.net/wp/index.php/turn-em-in-fws/
http://ecommons.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/66/2/Managing%20Canada%20Geese
http://www.articles.lovecanadageese.com/umpteenth.html
http://www.nogeese.com/
http://nwco.net/09-AppendixCBeyondTheRoutine/9-02-Geese.asp

Pinehurst geese shot in pond :: WRAL.com ==> http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/5115199/

http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/5115199/
Wildlife officials say someone is killing the federally protected birds in Pinehurst

==> http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/5115199/

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

  

 

Defenders of Wildlife

http://www.defendersactionfund.org/
This organization is dedicated to defending the wildlife. A noble endeavor and strongly endorsed by FOWL.

Swans Chasing Geese

This goose chase was caused by an insensitive dogowner who ran his dog too close to the flock of geese at the pond. The geese were haphazardly forced into the pond. Swans do not want geese in their territorial waters therefore geese are chased back out of the water over the sharp rock that surrounds the pond increasing the risk injury. Swans are capble of killing a goose should the swan overrun it. You have to wonder about some people. This dogowner was apprised of his irresponsible actions.

Quotes by and for the Humane

http://www.inhumane.org/data/Quotes.html
Guidelines for the treatment of all animals including ourselves.

FOWL Contributions By Interested Followers

 

Fowl Mission Statement :

 

We take the necessary action to protect resident Wildlife by addressing, exposing, and eliminating the root causes of WildLife cruelty.

 

Those followers who are interested in contributing additional content can email us at FOWLNC@bellsouth.net       

Photos, Stories, Injured Waterbird reports, Witnessed Waterbird Cruelty etc... will be added to this site for educational and informational purposes and  protection of resident waterfowl.

        

Herman The BlueHeron

Swans and Cygnets August 2005

From Swans

No swan song for youngsters - Sports - News & Observer

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/1385858.html
Another example of licensed WildLife abuse.

North Carolina Consolidated Cruelty Statutes

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:DKwuXgMICOUJ:www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusnc14_360_363_2.htm+wildlife+abuse+nc&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us&client=firefox-a
Hopefully this applies to insensitive Dog Owners that enjoy running their dogs at
flocks of geese/ducks to see them scatter haphazardly and increase their risk of injury. ==> http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusncodcary_raleigh.htm

Animal/Wildlife Cruelty

§ 14-361. Instigating or promoting cruelty to animals

If any person shall willfully set on foot, or instigate, or move to, carry on, or promote, or engage in, or do any act towards the furtherance of any act of cruelty to any animal, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Amended by Laws 1953, c. 857, § 1; Laws 1969, c. 1224, § 3; Laws 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 967, § 1; Laws 1989, c. 670, § 2; Laws 1993, c. 539, § 240, eff. Oct. 1, 1994; Laws 1994 (1st Ex. Sess.), c. 24, § 14(c), eff. March 26, 1994.