Monk parakeets get to fly
Deal allows UI to destroy nests but not send birds to death
A showdown over the extermination of hundreds of monk parakeets was short-circuited in Superior Court in New Haven Tuesday, after The United Illuminating Co. promised to cease capturing the birds — for the time being.
Priscilla Feral, president of the Darien-based Friends of Animals, was relieved that dozens or more birds that have escaped capture — and death — will not be asphyxiated.
She said, however, it was a Pyrrhic victory, after about 200 of the gregarious green birds were killed in the UI’s three-week campaign to remove nests from 103 utility poles from West Haven to Fairfield.
The Friends of Animals withdrew their court challenge Tuesday after UI agreed to stop netting the birds and turning them over to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has been destroying them in carbon dioxide chambers.
A spokesman for UI, which said the nests had to be removed to prevent outages and fires, downplayed the deal reached Tuesday, stressing that the nest-eradication effort remains on schedule, although no more birds would be captured and killed this month.
“The point is, we may never know whether they were done gassing the birds or not,” Feral said. “We know a lot escaped and UI had planned on going back and getting every one they could.”
She said she wished the lawsuit could have been filed sooner, but it took three weeks to research the case.
But the free birds will have to confront the winter without their nests, as the UI pulls down their thatched-stick shelters, which can weigh 200 pounds or more. Feral said her animal rights group will return to court in January to try to protect the pigeon-sized birds over the long term. “It a terrible time of year to yank their nests down,” she said.
Rep. Richard Roy, D-Milford, co-chairman of the Legislature’s Environment Committee, said he is relieved that UI’s eradication plan was apparently altered. Roy credited rising public pressure against the utility as the reason the company let the remaining birds go.
“This gives us some breathing room in the Legislature to develop some amendments for the law that has allowed the UI to capture these birds and give them to the USDA,” Roy said. Roy said there was no reason for UI to kill the birds that have survived — mostly in fir trees and oaks — along the Connecticut shore for 30 years. Albert Carbone, UI’s spokesman, would not say that the Friends of Animals won any concessions during a closed-door meeting Tuesday in the chambers of Superior Court Judge Linda K. Lager.
“It’s just part of the work plan,” Carbone said. “We didn’t alter our work plan in response to the complaint.”
Alan Schwartz, a New Haven attorney representing UI, issued a statement after the meeting, saying: “As planned, the remaining work involves the removal of the inventoried nests and any parakeets encountered in this phase of the work will not be captured. UI has no plans to capture more parakeets during the remainder of the year.”
Derek V. Oatis, a Manchester lawyer representing Friends of Animals, said he believes that UI did not raid all of the nests and that a substantial number of birds will now avoid euthanasia at the hands of the USDA.
“All that I know is that as of Friday, when I agreed to bring the action, UI were continuing to capture more birds,” he said. “My understanding is there were a number of inventoried nests they hadn’t gotten to yet. I don’t care how anyone spins it, if there aren’t birds being killed it’s a good thing.”
The Friends of Animals lawsuit included testimony from Dwight G. Smith, a monk parakeet expert who is chairman of the biology department at Southern Connecticut State University. He said that the monk parakeets — actually parrots because of their long tails — have established a niche in the state’s ecosystem.
Carbone said it may take weeks to remove the nests.
“If there are birds, they’ll just fly away,” Carbone said.
The premise of the campaign was to clear transformers and poles for public safety and electric reliability, he said. Customers will receive a week’s notice of any planned UI outages as the nests are pulled down with grappling hooks.
Meanwhile in Washington, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, a member of the Agriculture Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, sent a letter Tuesday to Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, questioning the extermination campaign, requesting that he explore other options. U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, D-4, a Bridgeport resident who has seen the monk parakeets in his neighborhood, also wrote to the USDA, expressing his concern about the euthanization of the colorful birds.
By Ken Dixon, published in The Connecticut Post on December 7, 2005. Washington bureau writer Peter Urban contributed to this report.
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31 Comments
On December 6, 2005, Ken Bernacky wrote:
This is pure bullshit, lawyer double speak. These nest-less birds are still going to die from exposure from our winter climate. We need to continue our efforts to stop the killing, no they won’t be gassed immediately, it will probably take a few hours for the winter climate to kill them now. I see little improvement here. Next protest is when?
Sincerely,
Ken Bernacky
Blog editors’ note: Ken, you’re right to say that the birds without nests will be in a pitiful position. We can give you these quotes from the Associated Press, from a just-printed article called “Power Company Says It Won’t Capture Any More Birds This Year” (6 Dec 2005) — we’re in this for real policy change. Keep struggling, and thank you. Here are the quotes from the article — and note the bottom line.
[Friends of Animals President Priscilla] Feral said she would like UI to leave the nests alone until spring, and her group plans to file a lawsuit in January that would force UI to deal with the nests in a more humane way.
“The question is whether they will get through the winter without a nest or time to rebuild them,” she said.
U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., said the decision to stop the gassing of the birds will give officials more time to find a humane way to relocate the birds’ nests.
“The bottom line is there has been an incredible outpouring of support for these animals, and we need to work with the USDA, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and United Illuminating Co. to find another viable
approach,” Shays said.
On December 6, 2005, Karen Hujdic wrote:
THANK GOD! I only wish that they would not take the nests yet either. At least their little lives have been sparedfor the time being if they can survive the bitter cold. I think we should continue to press everyone to get them to stop the nest removal too. Still no more lights for christmas at my house and my bill will be paid late. Spit in the ocean, but what ever I can do, I will.
I want to sincerely thank Laurel and Friends of Animals for their persistance and very hard work. You will have my continued support in the future, because you are truly “FRIENDS OF ANIMALS” and not some radical group that does crazy things. You really care.
On December 6, 2005, Diane Field wrote:
Bitter victory I guess. Those few who are fortunate to be spared will be in for the surprise of their little lives when they go home and find no nest. I sit here powerless in Boston but wish more than anything I could offer some safe haven for them. This has sickened me for the past week.
The efforts of everyone involved deserves some recognition—while they couldn’t all be saved, this is certainly a victory for concerned and human people everywhere.
On December 6, 2005, MJ wrote:
Wonderful news but I am still hesitant about UI and others. What happens if they attempt to kill? Do THEY get arrested? I hope someone is watching when they take the nests down without the birds inside. Is that going to be done during the day and when?? which still is mean and cruel in winter ) What is the urgency after all these years?? Can UI answer that.?? It makes much more sense to take nests down in early spring, when its warmer and they can rebuild nests elsewhere while people pole watch, so they do not build on poles. Not a very hard thing to do. Its far from over but this hopefully is a positive step. We are still watching and will continue too, MORE THAN EVER.
On December 6, 2005, P.J.Chevrette wrote:
Keep the pressure on UI - their track record on honesty has been less than stellar. They should still have to back up their claims about the birds being a “safety & health hazard”. Monk parakeets in CT need to be protected without further delay - let’s get some laws passed.
On December 6, 2005, PO wrote:
I just heard Carbone(UI spokesman) say they got all of the birds? (200 gassed )So thats why they are stopping!!?? I feel this is a stall tactic for the holidays and they will resume the cruelty after the New Year. I hope we all stay on our toes through the holidays etc and that we get more armour to fight these people: UI, DEP, USDA. CT AUDUBON SOCIETY when they decide to resume in January. I think they feel everyone is so distracted because of the holidays that this will subside and go away. It will not at my end and I hope others join in and feel the same. Need many a lawsuit and new protective laws for the animals/wildlife. Hurray!! for the kind people out there.
On December 6, 2005, Kristen wrote:
This is great news. I know there is surviving birds.Another way for U.I. to tell some more lies.Im here for any assistance you may need, protest, vigil.Keep up the great work.
On December 6, 2005, mauren wilkinson wrote:
tHESE BIRDS HAVE MADE SO MANY RESIDENTS HAPPY, AND PROUD OF THEIR AREA, THERE IS nO REASON NOR RIGHT TO KILL THEM!! Please call gov jody rell, the best gov we have ever had and ask for her help. This is ridiculous. Maureen
Blog editor’s note: Gov. Rell opted out of the discussion and decided to do nothing. The best governor in the last couple of decades was Gov. Ella Grasso. She expressed her sensitivity toward animals by getting involved — demanding accountability from politicians.
On December 6, 2005, ARC wrote:
God bless all you hardworking saints and the unnumbered army of those who pushed this over the top
On December 7, 2005, Jan Hanley wrote:
We need to stay on top of this! They will not rest YET
I will not have any holiday lights and I am being VERY CONSERVATIVE in all my electric use. The only thing they understand is the ALMIGHTY $$$ Stop spending as much as you can with the power companies! I am in TEXAS not CT. But I think everywhere should be active on this front. God Bless you for fighting the good fight Let’s keep it up!
On December 7, 2005, Vickie Turner wrote:
I think what UI & THE USDA is doing to these poor parrots is disgusting!! They should put Carbone out in the cold with no shelter at night.Please keep the pressure on them to leave the parrots alone till this can humanely be resolved. LILGREENBIRDLOVER.
On December 7, 2005, maggi wrote:
Congratulations. Is there any kind of seeds or food we can put out to help these birds in the winter? You should be proud of all your hard work. Thank you
On December 7, 2005, Rebecca Whitney wrote:
Thank you for all of your hard work and efforts. Where is the Humane Society in Connecticut? Where is the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals? Are these agencies in there fighting?? If UI can “capture” the parakeets, can they not be turned over to the Humane Society??? Can’t one of these groups obtain an injunction to stop this outrageous practice??? UI president and employees should be told that it takes a really big man to gas a defenseless bird for nest building.
Blog editors’ note: “I only wish I could so live and so serve the world that after me there should never again be birds in cages.” - Isak Dinesen (pen name of Karen Blixen), author (1885-1962)
On December 7, 2005, Dorothy Timmermann wrote:
Thank you, thank you, thank you. There will be the continued need for more compassionate work here, but it is a start in a life affirming direction. I have great respect for you and your work. One of my favorite quotes is by A. Stevenson, who said,”There is no greater horror than ignorance in action”. UI’s unwillingness to see the harm done to living creatures is just such a horror. It was a privilege to stand with you.
On December 7, 2005, Ken Bernacky wrote:
I have been sending variants of this communication to the media, this one to TV channel 30 on 12/06/2005:
Re: Monk Parakeets and United Illuminating. I have been active in this matter, (I had a letter to the editor of the Hartford Courant appear in the 12/02/2005 edition and participated in the vigil on 12/02/2005 in West Haven which you covered so well). The accounts of dead birds simply don’t add up, and the discrepancy is astronomical. In your newscast tonight (12/06/2005) a spokesman for United Illuminating says all the birds have been caught. The estimates I was given were there were 102 nests, each nest typically holds 30 to 40 birds. 30 birds X 102 nests = 3060 birds. Jo-Ann Nesti clearly said tonight 200 birds were killed. What happened to the remaining 2860 birds? How can there be such a great variance in these numbers? Can UI be covering up the true number of murdered birds to mitigate public opinion? They have been taking a pr beating thanks to the news media (you guys have been outstanding).
Is it possible UI is putting a spin on this saying only 200 birds have been killed when the number seems like it could be 15 times greater? These numbers just are too far out of agreement. Could you please look into this further and find out the truth?
Sincerely,
Ken Bernacky
President, Stereo Surgeons, Inc.
On December 7, 2005, Karri wrote:
I am appalled at the UI company and the heartless way they are trying to solve their problem. Why now? With the dead of winter coming. These poor beautiful birds will die a slow death with their shelters gone. Can’t they wait until spring? I am way out here in Minnesota and I am horrified and feel helpless.
On December 7, 2005, Alice K. wrote:
Thank you so much for the work Friends of Animals has done to come to the aid of the Monk Parakeets. I realize their nests can be a fire hazard and may cause problems for the UI but killing these creatures is not the answer. The killing was nothing more than a “quick fix” by the UI. This utility company makes enough money off the public to afford to do some research to solve their problems in a kinder way that will preserve these lovely birds. Thank goodness for Friends of Animals and all the animal lovers who spoke up about this terrible outrage. A special thanks to those who stood out in the cold to protest!
On December 7, 2005, Heather in WH wrote:
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?????? SHOULD I BE SHOWING UP AT A RALLY OR MEETING? THERE MUST BE SOMEONE WHO CAN HOUSE THESE BIRDS TILL SPRING IF THEIR NESTS DO GET DESTROYED.
Blog editors’ note: Thanks, Heather. We’ve added you to the list of folks wanting to help provide safety. Taking them inside would not be a good idea as it could inhibit their ability to cope as the free-living birds they are. The company should not kill them; nor should it be allowed to ruin their freedom.
On December 7, 2005, Sheryl Ryan wrote:
Please explain to me why these birds can not become pets. Apparently, the animal hospital in the article was able to domesticate one. I know I would be willing to take one or two in and I am sure there are other animal lovers that would be willing to also. At least a few could be saved.
Blog editors’ note: Connecticut residents surely must accept that animals — deer, birds, and others — are living on the animals’ own terms. We should be able to live with that. If we cannot, there will soon be no animals living freely in nature, which would be sad indeed.
On December 7, 2005, Laurel Lundstrom, Program Coordinator, Friends of Animals wrote:
On December 7, 2005, maggi wrote:
“Congratulations. Is there any kind of seeds or food we can put out to help these birds in the winter? You should be proud of all your hard work. Thank you.”
A workshop is being held on Monday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m. regarding the construction of platforms for the parakeets. People who reside near utility poles where nests will be torn down to can volunteer to have platforms built on their property. Bird seed along with pieces of bread will be used to attract the parakeets to the platforms. Monk parakeets especially enjoy sunflower seeds, corn, and a variety of fruits, nuts, and berries.
This is in the interest of temporary safety to address the emergency created by the company, until the birds can survive on their own in the environment to which they’ve become adjusted over the last four decades.
Laurel Lundstrom,
Friends of Animals
On December 7, 2005, logan wrote:
!!!! I have recently learned that the parakeet slaughter in Connecticut has been hallted! In my school many have said that they hate the parakeets and wish them to be dead but to me they have only been a gift. They have given me enjoyment and happiness to see such magnificent birds. They say they MIGHT cut out power shortages but for me I’d rather go with out power for a while than kill defenseless birds. I am so happy that the madness has stopped at least temperarily and we can enjoy these great birds.
On December 7, 2005, MJ wrote:
I sure wish I had these birds more inland in Bethel CT. I had a stray here years back and was so thrilled thinking he would nest here, but I never saw him/her again. I would love them on my property. I already house bluebirds, tree swallows and ALL others. These birds are more than welcone here. Hopefully they will move inland. I would erect a place for them and maybe then they would come up here. I know the immediate priority is where they are now. Add me to list for inland homes . My animals/wildlife get top priority with care and food and water year round.
On December 7, 2005, Karen Hujdic wrote:
I want everyone to keep writing emails and letters to UI to get them to stop the removal of the nests until spring. If we keep the pressure on, maybe they will come around. If we continue to embarass them in the media, they may hold off until spring. Keep those letters going.
Anyone and everyone who are in the areas where the parakeets will lose their nests, PLEASE offer to have a platform erected in your yard to attract them for the winter. If I lived closer to the shore, I would fill my yard with these platforms. I would love to have them! I sadly live in Shelton and they do not come this far north. I would do anything to save them. Keep coming back to this site for more updates. I will continue to protest or anything else to save these beautiful birds. I won’t sleep until they are protected from UI.
On December 7, 2005, Suzanna Nyberg wrote:
Thank God for Friends of Animals and God bless those poor little birds who have suffered at the hands of the UI and the USDA.
Keep the lights turned off. I teach, and I pull up the blinds in my classes and turned the lights off. I’ve purchased a huge flashlight with rechargeable batteries as well as a book light. Let’s fight the rate hike that the UI wants next year. Let’s do as Al Carbone suggests and conserve, conserve, conserve.
On December 7, 2005, Marya Panzica wrote:
A BIG Thank you to everyone who cares about this situation. I thought I was the only one who cared, and this thing made me sick and sad. My faith in humankind is slightly restored, but we need to help the poor, cold, and homeless birds.
I heard a seminar is being planned on Monday in CT. The seminar is to help people build/set up shelters for the birds whose nests shall be impacted by these jerks!!!
Does anyone know where in CT. the seminar will occur?
Does anyone have any other information about this???? Please share. Thanks, Marya
Blog editor’s note: The seminar is in Norwalk at City Hall — Exit 16 off I-95. , at 5:30 pm.
On December 7, 2005, Joanne Beeman wrote:
I have just heard about this horrible, senseless act of cruelty committed by UI and it absoulutely amazes me that it never occurred to them to (lightbulb, please) simply relocate the nests. Is that something that is hard to do? These poor birds are doing nothing but what they have been “hardwired” to do and they should not have to pay with their lives simply because they are trying to survive. Las Vegas does get cold, but nothing like what CT does. You have my heartfelt support and I will pray for the birds safety and protection.
On December 7, 2005, Marti M. wrote:
I can’t thank you enough for coming to the aid of the parakeets. They have been a source of delight for me at my backyard feeder, and I was horrified by the news. It makes me sick that the Audubon Society condones this. Surely they could help come up with a solution rather than being part of the problem. Refusing to protect birds that are not native to this country seems to me to be the avian equivalent of racism. I just don’t get it. I’m going to send you an extra donation as a token of my appreciation. Please keep up the fight.
On December 8, 2005, PO wrote:
Seems UI, Carbone and Woodson just want these birds dead. They could care less if these birds have no homes to go to. They want them to freeze to death. They are still performing cruelty. Let them stay till spring as we ALL WILL HAVE solutions without killing. This is so mean of them and Carbone seems so proud of the kill, when he was on the news. This is far from over and no holidays will deter our efforts. I do not know what the urgency is after all these years to HAVE to take these nests down in WINTER. UI and all others probably planned all this purposely during this time. KILL, KILL ,KILL is the only language they know. Please leave these nests till spring and we will solve the problem humanely.
On December 8, 2005, Ken Bernacky wrote:
I couldn’t have said it better PO. TO ALL POLITICIANS: WE WILL NOT FORGET THIS AT ELECTION TIME. But right now we are in emergency mode, we have to save our babies. I would love to erect a parrot platform on my property, but since I live in Vernon and there are not parrots here I will do the next best thing. I will volunteer my labor every Sunday, all day, as many Sundays as it takes to erect these parrot platforms on property whose owners who desire one. I am not a carpenter but can follow directions and a saw, hammer, drill, etc. are not foreign devices to me. In fact, we can establish a team that becomes expert at these erections (of course pun intended) to go from property to property becoming more efficient as we learn from each installation. What say peeps?
Sincerely,
Ken Bernacky
On December 8, 2005, Laurel Lundstrom, Program Coordinator, Friends of Animals wrote:
The platform-building workshop is at the Norwalk City Hall on Monday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m in Room 101.
Anyone who would like to volunteer their property, time or resources (including bird seed) to this effort please contact me.
Norwalk City Hall is located at 125 East Ave., Norwalk, Conn., 06851
Directions to Norwalk City Hall from New Haven:
Take I-95 to Exit 16
Follow the ramp to Route 1
Make a slight Right on East Ave.
City Hall is on the right by a light. Turn right at light and another right into parking lot.
We will meet on the first floor in room 101 at 5:30 p.m.
Laurel Lundstrom
FoA Program Coordinator
On December 8, 2005, Donna Burrell wrote:
I am indeed amazed and disgusted that the Audubon Society (of which I’m a member) is not going to bat for the quakers. They rose to the defense of the famous “Pale Male” hawk family which built a nest at the edge of Central Park, in NYC.
What’s up, Audubon Society? What’s the difference?