Friends of the Swallows (Cabrillo College)
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July 2008
Most of you may know that swallow nests on the west side of the
cafeteria building were removed from the building this past weekend.
The same area is now covered with netting to deter birds from building
nests. We have arranged to have a meeting regarding this issue with
Pegi Ard on Wednesday, April 16 at 8:30 a.m. in the Library conference
room, Room 1040. (moved to room 804A to accomodate more people)
Some of us believe the college ought to:
1. Follow federal laws that clearly state when swallow nests can and can not be handled.
2. Implement a program for regular clean-up of bird droppings during the nesting period to eliminate the extreme use of netting.
Do you have any other ideas or suggestions? Please bring them to this important meeting on Wednesday. And please forward this message to anyone else who may be interested. Thank you.
Elissa Wagner noted:
... it turns out the swallows are a native, PROTECTED species; it's illegal to kill them, illegal to knock down their nests. Here's an apt quote, courtesy of Virginia Coe: "And gathering swallows twitter in the skies." Not.
From Sylvia Winder:
Here it is for all to see. Peggy Ard's and Joe Nugent's offices were alerted to this last Friday.
"The California Department of Fish and Game, the enforcement agency, considers February 15 to September 1 to be the swallow nesting season. Completed nests during this breeding season cannot be touched without a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Outside of these dates, the nests can be removed without a permit. During nesting, a permit authorizing nest removal will be issued only if it can be justified by strong, compelling reasons. ...The permit is issued for one season only. The permit will authorize the permittee or the permittee's employee(s) to use specified methods to remove the nests. The number of nests removed must be reported within 10 days after the permit expires."
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7482.html
Do we know if they had such a permit?
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This was email sent by Ryan Kaplan, Student Senator, to the rest of the Student Senate; it is eloquent and to the point. Maybe the library folks could send it on their listserve, and feel free, anyone, to forward it.
It's not a choice that we "allow" the birds to nest... we can make it difficult for them, but this is their habitat, and they're not going to leave without a battle. It would be in observance of the law and respectful to their intrinsic value and integrity to leave them free to nest. If there weren't concrete to catch it, their excrement would be fertilizer. Without the steady flow of traffic, their sonorous calls would be a natural symphony. Their coordinated flight breathes life into the oft grey Aptos skies.
I have an idea. Why don't we replace our mascot, a fictional bird, with a very real and threatened one. This particular population of swallows demonstrates the sort of tenacity and courage that we can only hope to
emulate in overcoming our personal struggles. Rather than being alienated in the face of oppression, they coalesce as one, with the practicality to forge a home from a monolith, and rebuild patiently every time their nests are knocked down or netted away. What an inspiration!
----
from John Carothers:
I think it important to note that our current mascot, the sea hawk, is NOT a fictional bird. It is also called an osprey - it hunts for fish along our coast and it is a rather rare bird around here I'm sad to say. "Rumors of its death have been greatly exaggerated."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osprey
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A group of us (about 25 staff and students) met with Pegi Ard and Joe Nugent this morning. After a discussion of the swallows and condition of the nests, we came to the following action items:
1. Pegi and Joe will talk with M and O workers to find out if nests were destroyed over the weekend.
2. The group decided that we need to have on-going discussions regarding netting of buildings, clean up of droppings, etc. Pegi suggested a committee be formed. The committee members include: Pegi Ard, Joe Nugent, Elissa Wagner, Virginia Coe, Vera Romandia, Julie O'Rielly, Barbara Bloom, and William Scott.
Did I miss any other action items? If you attended, what did you think of the meeting? How do you think we should continue? Shall we have regular meetings (especially during the nesting season), discussions, public awareness events?
Personally, I think this group has a strong sense of determination and great motivation. Let's keep it going!
Stephanie
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From Stephanie Apr. 17th:
1. Joe Nugent reported to Laura Dickie that they will be working on netting of the 800 building tomorrow using the crane. He mentioned to Laura that they will be removing some of the netting on the 800 building to install it somewhere else because they have run out of netting. He also said he talked to Fish and Wildlife and he was 99% sure that what he was doing was legal. Here is the telephone number for Steve Schindler, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Local Warden: 831-761-8318 and his cell phone 831-901-6370. He said feel free to call him any time.
2. There is a dead bird (looks like a sparrow) caught in the netting outside the library building.
3. The Student Senate will have the the swallow situation on it's agenda today as an information item.
They meet at 3pm in SAC East, room 225. If someone would like to drop in and give them an update, Marco said they would appreciate the whole senate getting the word.
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Juliy 2008
Swallows' Long Association with Humans:
Dear Friends,
Swallows and humans share a long-standing symbiotic relationship. Swallows help us by consuming a multitude of mosquitoes and other insects, and it appears that human proximity discourages predators from swallows’nesting areas. We are so lucky to have these beautiful and magical visitors on our campus.
From an article published by the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife:
“It has been speculated that one reason swallows
choose to nest
on door stoops, light fixtures, and porch fronts is because the close
proximity
to humans keeps crows and other predators away. The birds will even
risk cat
predation and human vandalism and nest close to the ground if the
location is
in a place frequented by humans. The barn swallow’s close association
with
humans in Europe goes back over 2,000 years.
Thus, when
you thwart a barn or cliff swallow’s nesting effort, you may be denying
the
birds their only chance at successful reproduction.”
"Living with Washington's Wildlife: Swallows.” Crossing Paths
Spring
2004: 2
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/crospath/spring2004.pdf
If you’d like to read more, also in this same issue, is an excellent article called “Baby Birds Out of the Nest: To Help or Not to Help?”
Happy chirps,
Julie O.
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July 2008
Five Swallow Nests Destroyed at the 200 Building:
Approximately five occupied swallow nests and their inhabitants were recently removed from the eaves near room 204 of the theater building. I (Julie O'Rielly) noticed that these nests were missing when I arrived to record a routine videotape of the nesting areas on July 10th.
The destruction of these swallow nests is a federal offense in which “persons found guilty of harming these birds, their eggs, or nests, can be fined up to $15,000 and/or imprisoned up to 6 months.” United States Code: Title 16, Section 701-719
We are currently in the middle of the nesting period with nestlings and fledglings vitally dependent upon their nests and parents for their survival. Some fledglings are now testing their wings for the very first time, and must return to the nest for protection and continued nurturing by the adults.
The Friends of the Swallows at Cabrillo College needs your help educating staff, faculty and the community regarding the state and federal laws protecting the cliff swallows. The swallows reside on our campus to raise their families before embarking upon their return journey to South America. The time of the cliff swallows’ departure may be as late as September depending on weather and other conditions. The destruction of nests could actually require the swallows to remain on campus longer than normal since they are forced to rebuild their nests and attempt a second clutch of eggs. The cliff swallows will leave en masse when the time is right for their spectacular migration southward.
Your help is greatly appreciated,
Julie O’Rielly
& The Friends of the Swallows at Cabrillo College (Co-Chairs: E. Wagner & J. O'Rielly)
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On April 14th, Stephanie Staley wrote:
Approximately five occupied swallow nests and their inhabitants were recently removed from the eaves near room 204 of the theater building. I (Julie O'Rielly) noticed that these nests were missing when I arrived to record a routine videotape of the nesting areas on July 10th.
The destruction of these swallow nests is a federal offense in which “persons found guilty of harming these birds, their eggs, or nests, can be fined up to $15,000 and/or imprisoned up to 6 months.” United States Code: Title 16, Section 701-719
We are currently in the middle of the nesting period with nestlings and fledglings vitally dependent upon their nests and parents for their survival. Some fledglings are now testing their wings for the very first time, and must return to the nest for protection and continued nurturing by the adults.
The Friends of the Swallows at Cabrillo College needs your help educating staff, faculty and the community regarding the state and federal laws protecting the cliff swallows. The swallows reside on our campus to raise their families before embarking upon their return journey to South America. The time of the cliff swallows’ departure may be as late as September depending on weather and other conditions. The destruction of nests could actually require the swallows to remain on campus longer than normal since they are forced to rebuild their nests and attempt a second clutch of eggs. The cliff swallows will leave en masse when the time is right for their spectacular migration southward.
Your help is greatly appreciated,
Julie O’Rielly
& The Friends of the Swallows at Cabrillo College (Co-Chairs: E. Wagner & J. O'Rielly)
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On April 14th, Stephanie Staley wrote:
Some of us believe the college ought to:
1. Follow federal laws that clearly state when swallow nests can and can not be handled.
2. Implement a program for regular clean-up of bird droppings during the nesting period to eliminate the extreme use of netting.
Do you have any other ideas or suggestions? Please bring them to this important meeting on Wednesday. And please forward this message to anyone else who may be interested. Thank you.
Elissa Wagner noted:
... it turns out the swallows are a native, PROTECTED species; it's illegal to kill them, illegal to knock down their nests. Here's an apt quote, courtesy of Virginia Coe: "And gathering swallows twitter in the skies." Not.
From Sylvia Winder:
Here it is for all to see. Peggy Ard's and Joe Nugent's offices were alerted to this last Friday.
"The California Department of Fish and Game, the enforcement agency, considers February 15 to September 1 to be the swallow nesting season. Completed nests during this breeding season cannot be touched without a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Outside of these dates, the nests can be removed without a permit. During nesting, a permit authorizing nest removal will be issued only if it can be justified by strong, compelling reasons. ...The permit is issued for one season only. The permit will authorize the permittee or the permittee's employee(s) to use specified methods to remove the nests. The number of nests removed must be reported within 10 days after the permit expires."
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7482.html
Do we know if they had such a permit?
---
This was email sent by Ryan Kaplan, Student Senator, to the rest of the Student Senate; it is eloquent and to the point. Maybe the library folks could send it on their listserve, and feel free, anyone, to forward it.
It's not a choice that we "allow" the birds to nest... we can make it difficult for them, but this is their habitat, and they're not going to leave without a battle. It would be in observance of the law and respectful to their intrinsic value and integrity to leave them free to nest. If there weren't concrete to catch it, their excrement would be fertilizer. Without the steady flow of traffic, their sonorous calls would be a natural symphony. Their coordinated flight breathes life into the oft grey Aptos skies.
I have an idea. Why don't we replace our mascot, a fictional bird, with a very real and threatened one. This particular population of swallows demonstrates the sort of tenacity and courage that we can only hope to
emulate in overcoming our personal struggles. Rather than being alienated in the face of oppression, they coalesce as one, with the practicality to forge a home from a monolith, and rebuild patiently every time their nests are knocked down or netted away. What an inspiration!
----
from John Carothers:
I think it important to note that our current mascot, the sea hawk, is NOT a fictional bird. It is also called an osprey - it hunts for fish along our coast and it is a rather rare bird around here I'm sad to say. "Rumors of its death have been greatly exaggerated."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osprey
----
A group of us (about 25 staff and students) met with Pegi Ard and Joe Nugent this morning. After a discussion of the swallows and condition of the nests, we came to the following action items:
1. Pegi and Joe will talk with M and O workers to find out if nests were destroyed over the weekend.
2. The group decided that we need to have on-going discussions regarding netting of buildings, clean up of droppings, etc. Pegi suggested a committee be formed. The committee members include: Pegi Ard, Joe Nugent, Elissa Wagner, Virginia Coe, Vera Romandia, Julie O'Rielly, Barbara Bloom, and William Scott.
Did I miss any other action items? If you attended, what did you think of the meeting? How do you think we should continue? Shall we have regular meetings (especially during the nesting season), discussions, public awareness events?
Personally, I think this group has a strong sense of determination and great motivation. Let's keep it going!
Stephanie
---
From Stephanie Apr. 17th:
1. Joe Nugent reported to Laura Dickie that they will be working on netting of the 800 building tomorrow using the crane. He mentioned to Laura that they will be removing some of the netting on the 800 building to install it somewhere else because they have run out of netting. He also said he talked to Fish and Wildlife and he was 99% sure that what he was doing was legal. Here is the telephone number for Steve Schindler, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Local Warden: 831-761-8318 and his cell phone 831-901-6370. He said feel free to call him any time.
2. There is a dead bird (looks like a sparrow) caught in the netting outside the library building.
3. The Student Senate will have the the swallow situation on it's agenda today as an information item.
They meet at 3pm in SAC East, room 225. If someone would like to drop in and give them an update, Marco said they would appreciate the whole senate getting the word.
----
From Julie O'Rielly Apr. 18th:
There are some gaps and holes in the existing netting of the Library and 900 Building. Two birds have already died...one in the netting on the library and one in the netting on the 900 Bldg.
Today I brought my "Mr. Long Arm" pole from home and have fashioned a hook on the end. I will keep this pole in my office at the library. If you see a bird caught in the netting, give me a call or come to my office in the library and hopefully we will be able to gently assist the bird's release without creating a larger hole where more birds might get trapped. I have heard that M&O does plan on closing the gaps and holes. Perhaps the Mr. Long Arm pole will be of assistance to trapped birds until M&O can make the netting repairs.
Also here is the link to the article in today's Santa Cruz Sentinel (thank you so much Laura Dickie for alerting the press!):
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_8970784
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See http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Cliff_Swallow.html for more information on the species.
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Friends of the Swallows at Cabrillo College meeting tomorrow:
Thursday, April 24 1:00 p.m. SAC Room 225 Four areas or topics we can explore: 1. Organize a regular inspection and reporting system for the activities of swallows 2. Organize cleanup and support of existing nesting areas 3. Plan for future generations of swallows at Cabrillo 4. Explore the possibility of incorporating the swallows and other local wildlife into existing curriculum 5. Explore other areas where we could provide education and awareness. See you Tomorrow! Stephanie Staley |
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Meeting minutes from Julie O'Reiley (April 22nd meeting)
Highlights: Photos as evidence of dead birds, eggs, etc.in the netting on the 900 Bldg. We took a tour of the 900 Bldg. and the Library Bldg. to view the swallow nesting areas. Pegi agreed with our netting removal plan. Nugent said he had talked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and they told him to fix the problem immediately. Allan Lonnberg talked about the need to change our mind-set regarding living with nature, that we must learn to co-exist with nature and we must teach this to our students. Lonnberg also suggested the poop go into the newly built campus compost pile. Hurray! Poop is a gold mine for organic gardeners! Action items: Ard said all nets on the 900 building will come down. (Joe Nugent is beginning this work today, Wednesday, April 23). (Joe Nugent was just now in my office and said that the netting is coming down more rapidly than expected on the 900 Bldg. The netting is in sheets and the area wrapped around the gutters is also coming off. We had requested that the removal of the netting over the gutter area be done when Molly Richardson from Native Animal Rescue could be on site for advice. Joe apologizes for the unexpected removal of the netting in the gutter area.) Ard said the nets on the Library building will come down except for over the area above the stairway railing. There are two complete, occupied swallow nests in this area. Joe Nugent will be getting instructions from Molly Richardson of Native Animal Rescue for the best way to remove netting if any on the Library Bldg. during this nesting season since it would require very delicate work. If netting on the Library remains in place for the remainder of this nesting season, ALL gaps will be sewn closed so that no additional birds will be killed by being trapped inside the netting. Ard and Nugent will seek outside advice. Joe Nugent will contact Molly Richardson of Native Animal Rescue to inspect and advise on netting removal. (Joe just told me has left a message for Molly of NAR, and has received a message from Molly saying she is happy to come to Cabrillo to observe the netting removal.) Ard agreed to the idea of voluntary crews for clean up of droppings. Staley will ask Loree McCawley about paperwork for volunteering on campus and Ard will check if contracted employees need to fill out volunteer forms also. Staley and Lonnberg will organize the volunteer cleanup crew. O'Rielly and Wagner will co-chair the subcommittee. Gratitude: Thanks to Barry Staley for taking the photos that clearly showed what was happening in the netting of the 900 Bldg. Thanks to Tom Ragan for writing the two articles in the Santa Cruz Sentinel which caught the attention of other experts who offered sound and helpful advice. The Future: Think about the possibility of a Springtime Swallow Festival at Cabrillo (similar to the welcome greeting that swallows receive at Capistrano after their long journey from South America each year). The Student Senate has volunteered to purchase and research the use of swallow nesting boxes to encourage and assist the swallows. Remain vigilant. |
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April 23rd Sentinel article
"Swallow nets will come down at Cabrillo"http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_9023717 |
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From Sylvia Winder 4/21/08
Today is "John Muir Day" born April 21 1838. "When I was a boy in Scotland I was fond of everything that was wild, and all my life I've been growing fonder and fonder of wild places and wild creatures. Fortunately around my native town of Dunbar, by the stormy North Sea, there was no lack of wildness, though most of the land lay in smooth cultivation. Just before school skaled (closed), we all arose and sang the fine hymn "Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing." In the spring when the* swallows *were coming back from their winter homes we sang-- "Welcome, welcome, little stranger, Welcome from a foreign shore: Safe escaped from many a danger . . ." from, The Story of My Boyhood and Youth Thank You John. For more quotes... http://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit |
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From Stephanie Staley 4/18/08:
I received two phone calls today from community members who saw the article in the newspaper and wanted to offer their support. One from Molly Richardson, the founder of Native Animal Rescue. She gave me some very good ideas which I'd like to share with you at our next meeting. The next meeting will be Thursday, April 24 at 1:00 in the library conference room (or Lyn: could we get 804a?). In general, there are four areas or topics we can explore: 1. Organize a regular inspection and reporting system for the activities of swallows 2. Organize cleanup and support of existing nesting areas 3. Plan for future generations of swallows at Cabrillo 4. Explore the possibility of incorporating the swallows and other local wildlife into curriculum |
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Thank you Stephanie for collecting the addresses, sending the emails and keeping us informed. I appreciated the outcome of the meeting very much, though I was a little uncomfortable with what felt like and adversarial approach at the beginning. The Sentinel reporter seemed a bit out of place as we worked out our issues. I am hoping that we can find ways to replace unsustainable activities from a place of trust and collegiality. Karen Groppi |
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the creature, the osprey/seahawk is indeed not a fictional character.
i believe the spirit of ryan's comment about the mascot refered to the cartoonish character of the seahawk that Cabrillo has adopted for its mascot. again, keep the eye on the prize. ryan's statement about the swallows and the plight/flight of Cabrillo students should stand on its own merit. thank you laura dickie |
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Contributors to this Page
Interesting article available online concerning the tseer "bugs" call made by our cliff swallows - sharing information to recruit other swallows in the colony to feed on a large swarm:
http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/files/issues/v090n03/p0714-p0715.pdf