My Starling Clementine ...
About a decade ago, a magazine I read published a letter from the Doctor who introduced starlings from Europe into North America. He was writing to some people who supported his endeavours, bringing them up to date on the progress made. He was very pleased to observe that the originally introduced starlings have survived the winter well and in fact have begun to breed with some success. He also expressed some hope that the recently introduced starling population would expand into nearby areas.
Interestingly enough, the Canada Goose, a bird so endangered in the early 1950s that extinction was a real possibility, has not only avoided that dreadful fate, but has multiplied to numbers sufficient to become a pest in many areas. This bird was recently introduced to Britain and has become an enormous problem in their new home. I think there's some irony in the fact we have reciprocated the good Doctor's favour.
Cheers, PW.
P.S. Canada Geese are commonly thought of as rats with wings. In many cities, by-laws have been passed against feeding them. They have been observed attacking small children. They enjoy purchasing real-estate and put deposits on many properties.
P.P.S. Canada geese are not active at night. Tundra Swans, on the other hand, honk and squawk 24/7. If geese take up residence nearby, at least you'll sleep. Nobody can sleep when the Tundra Swans visit. The white swans, in parks and on bathroom tissue, are Mute Swans. Unlike Tundra Swans, Mute Swans allow neighbours some sleep. One can tell them apart easily enough: Black bill and straight neck for the Tundra; orange bill and curved neck for the Mute. Both are snow white. I believe the Mutes are protected.
P.P.P.S. One morning, as I awakened, I opened the curtain and a Canada goose was standing adjacent to the house, neck stretched fully upward, peering into my bedroom window. Kinda unsettling. |
