From rbdoeker at yahoo.com Thu May 3 11:39:25 2007 From: rbdoeker at yahoo.com (Randi Doeker - Chicago) Date: Thu May 3 11:39:33 2007 Subject: [BCNnet] FYI: Toronto Bird-Friendly Development Guidelines released (no sightings) Message-ID: <005601c78da1$9d60b400$4001a8c0@rbde5348707dc8> Skipped content of type multipart/alternative-------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 20214 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20070503/9beaa11a/attachment-0001.jpe From bobolnk at ix.netcom.com Thu May 3 15:59:13 2007 From: bobolnk at ix.netcom.com (bobolnk@ix.netcom.com) Date: Thu May 3 15:59:25 2007 Subject: [BCNnet] IMBD celebration at Montrose Message-ID: <9834327.1178225953975.JavaMail.root@elwamui-milano.atl.sa.earthlink.net> I'm passing this along from the Chicago Park District - International Migratory Bird Day Come celebrate International Migratory Bird Day! The Chicago Park District is hosting a press conference May 12th at the Montrose Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary in honor of International Migratory Bird Day. The celebration kicks off at 9:45am and will include bird walks. The National Audubon Society will announce the Chicago lakefront's designation as an IBA (Important Bird Area). In addition, the CPD will recognize Com Ed?s generous donation toward planting bird friendly shrubs enhancing the Montrose area bird habitat, as well as several other Park District nature area sites. More details to follow - save the date! Judy Pollock jpollock@audubon.org Evanston (Cook) IL From birdperson at juno.com Fri May 4 00:17:10 2007 From: birdperson at juno.com (birdperson@juno.com) Date: Fri May 4 00:18:28 2007 Subject: [BCNnet] Montrose Beach Dunes news (no sightings) Message-ID: <20070503.221713.29020.2256296@webmail43.lax.untd.com> Bird People: As the weather turns warm this beautiful spring and the dunes come to life, we have much to celebrate. In late December, the Chicago Park District was awarded a state C2000 grant for restoration work at Montrose Beach Dunes. The C2000 (Conservation 2000) is a large grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for conservation work that protects, preserves, and enhances the biodiversity and natural heritage of Illinois. It is the first time the Chicago Park District has received such a grant for one of its natural areas. The C2000 is a two-year grant that will cover major invasives work at the dunes, targeting mainly Salix interior (Sandbar Willow), the shrubby willow species overtaking much of the habitat; a stabilization planting on the upper beach; updated interpretive signage; and a new dune protection fence. We are very excited about the grant and it is going to make a huge, positive difference in the future health and viability of the dunes and its unique flora and fauna. Another great piece of news is that in March, the Park District and City approved the addition of one more acre of beach to Montrose Beach Dunes. The new area is just west of the old dune protection fence and includes shoreline and potential panne habitat (a panne is a wet depression in a dune swale system; pannes are globally imperiled worldwide and according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, there are fewer than 200 acres left). Plants have been emerging in this area for the past two years because the sailboat owners started parking their boats there, which prevented the beach grooming machines from raking and destroying the vegetation. The boats will be moved west and a new dune protection fence has been installed farther west to enclose the area. This increases the size of the dune habitat to approximately 10.25 acres. In response to Eric's questions, there is a gap in the new dune protection fence in an east-west orientation because this minimizes sand accumulation and the formation of artificial dunes. In general, fencing on beaches that is parallel to the shoreline interferes with natural sand movement and dune geology because ridges and swales tend to develop parallel to the shoreline. Regulatory signage will be installed along the fence opening to deter wayward dog owners and other inappropriate users. Birders may recall that in the past, the entire western half of the dunes was open, so the new fencing actually provides quite a bit more protection as well as a big chunk of new habitat for migratory and nesting birds and native plant species. The parallel fence on the upper beach is not permanent; one section is the new fencing, and the old section will soon be removed. As Jill mentioned, you should feel free to call Park District Security (312-747-2193 or 4) and/or the Chicago Police at 911 if you witness dog violations in the habitat. Our local hero, Officer Heger, works out of the 23rd police precinct (312-744-8320). The precinct says it's best to call 911 and they will dispatch someone immediately - hopefully Heger with his nightstick. It is thrilling and gratifying that on Montrose Beach, Chicago's largest public beach, despite huge pressures of active recreation and coastal development, the Park District and City have decided to set aside MORE land for bird and plant habitat and the preservation of our state's rich biodiversity. Please take the time to thank to our hard-working public officials, especially Zhanna Yermakov, the Park District's new Natural Areas Manager, whose enthusiasm and vision was key in getting the new acre of beach set aside and protected. Please email me privately with questions or if you would more information about Montrose Beach Dunes. Meanwhile, here's to relocating that Piping Plover tomorrow, and to more great spring birding! Leslie Borns Site Steward, Montrose Beach Dunes Chicago/Cook birdperson@juno.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20070504/061bc672/attachment.html From donniebird at yahoo.com Sat May 12 13:07:42 2007 From: donniebird at yahoo.com (donniebird@yahoo.com) Date: Sat May 12 13:07:51 2007 Subject: [BCNnet] FW: Ten Billion Migratory Birds Arrive in North America butThreatsIncreasing - International Migratory Bird Day is Saturday May 12 Message-ID: <003201c794c0$6fd76fd0$0200a8c0@DONNIERTMEJESV> Skipped content of type multipart/alternative-------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 139380 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20070512/8846c4cf/attachment-0003.jpe -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 15044 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20070512/8846c4cf/attachment-0004.jpe -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 6304 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20070512/8846c4cf/attachment-0005.jpe -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 29371 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20070512/8846c4cf/attachment-0001.gif From rbdoeker at yahoo.com Thu May 17 08:17:34 2007 From: rbdoeker at yahoo.com (Randi Doeker - Chicago) Date: Thu May 17 08:17:44 2007 Subject: [BCNnet] RB Gull Management Project - Birders help requested Message-ID: <001801c79885$bbca7b30$4001a8c0@rbde5348707dc8> The following is posted on behalf of the Chicago Dept. of Environment. Questions should go to birds@cityofchicago.org . My executive summary: If you see a gull with a colored tag on its wing, send an email to: james.a.rader@aphis.usda.gov Date - Time Color of tag Location seen; be as specific as possible Number of gulls with that tag color Your name and phone number FYI: The four colors are yellow and blue for gulls tagged at Dime Pier (by Navy Pier); orange and green for Lake Calumet. Randi Doeker Chicago ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- Tagged Gulls and the Chicago Ring-billed Gull Management Pilot Project The Chicago Department of Environment (DOE) has undertaken a research project with USDA's Wildlife Services biologists to help determine how to stabilize the Ring-billed gull population and manage the conflict with humans along the Chicago lakefront. April 2007 counts of RB Gulls at the research locations determined that the populations at the 2 sites have increased by 400-500% since 1999 (an increase much greater than local experts had estimated). It is unknown what the increase in the regional population is, but in 1999, the last time that a survey of the regional population was taken, there were over 67,000 nesting pairs (134,000 ring-billed gulls) in the region. Additionally, anecdotal reports indicate that less aggressive birds (including Forster's Terns) are being harmed by the gull explosion. More details on the project, including data when it is available, are available by e-mailing birds@cityofchicago.org. Birders are asked to help the researchers by reporting any sitings of RB Gulls with colored tags on their wings. DOE thanks you for your efforts. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * This document follows on the City of Chicago's April 23, 2007 press release. Chicago Ring-billed Gull Management Pilot Project May 2007 - FAQs The City of Chicago has requested Wildlife Services, a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, conduct a research project to limit the number of ring-billed gulls that hatch this year and determine if ring-billed gulls without young cause fewer problems. What is the Chicago Gull Damage Management Pilot Project? . The City's Gull Damage Management Pilot Project is a non-lethal way to manage increases in the ring-billed gull population and make Chicago a cleaner and safer place. The project is designed to gauge the effect of oiling gull eggs, with an ultimate goal of reducing the severity and frequency of conflicts with Ring-billed gulls by stabilizing the population. . Over several weeks, Wildlife Service biologists will oil eggs in ring-billed gull nests with food-grade corn oil on Dime Pier just south of Navy Pier and a dike northeast of Gull Island in Lake Calumet. . Oiling the eggs will prevent young from hatching by preventing oxygen from penetrating the shell. . Control nests will be marked and not oiled. . Approximately 400-600 breeding gulls will be tagged with leg bands and patagial tags. Half of these gulls will be from the control population and half from the treated population. A researcher will observe tagged gulls throughout the summer to gauge differences in behavior between ring-billed gulls with or without young. . One nesting adult from each nest in the research population will be marked, and there will be four distinctly marked populations: (1) Dime Pier, oiled nests, yellow patagial tag; (2) Dime Pier, control nests, blue patagial tags; (3) Lake Calumet, oiled nests, orange patagial tags; (4) Lake Calumet, control nests, green patagial tags. . Juvenile gulls from the control nests will also be tagged and monitored. . The city urges birders to post their tagged ring-billed gull sitings by sending an e-mail to james.a.rader@aphis.usda.gov with the following information: . Date and Time patagial tagged ring-billed gull was observed . Color of patagial tag on ring-billed gull . Location where patagial tagged ring-billed gull was observed (street address and/or as specific as possible) . Number of gulls observed with patagial tags at this location (and colors of tags if multiple tagged birds were observed) . Observer name and contact telephone number Why is it important to stabilize Chicago's gull population? . Scientists have shown a potential connection between the presence of ring-billed gulls on a beach and positive tests for E. coli bacteria in the water, which leads to swim bans. For example, a Lake County Health Department study of five beaches found that more than half of the E. coli bacteria in the water samples were from birds (Mike Adam, 2004). A University of Chicago study estimated the City experiences $2.4 million in costs from swim bans ("The Value of Chicago Beaches," Sabina Lee Shaikh, 2006). (To our knowledge, no studies have shown a correlation between human health and avian E. coli. However, USEPA uses E.coli as their indicator to determine swim bans because their studies indicate that E. coli is one of the best bacterial indicators to assess the risk of acquiring a gastrointestinal illness as a result of using recreational waters. The USEPA E.coli indicator protocol is the only recreational water testing protocol accepted by the Federal government.) . Gull droppings accumulate at entertainment, recreational, and dining establishments in Chicago, especially along the lakefront. Attracted to food, gulls frequent eating establishments near the Lake. Navy Pier, the Chicago Park District, and others invest resources in mitigating gull damage. . Anecdotal evidence suggests that other bird species may be impacted by the increase in the ring-billed gull population. Is the goal to eliminate the ENTIRE Gull colony or just control the numbers? . The goal of this project is NOT to eliminate the entire regional ring-billed gull colony. Oiling ring-billed gull eggs in Chicago will help to stabilize the increase in the local ring-billed gull population, but it will not decrease the existing population, especially given that ring-billed gulls live for an average of 10-15 years. How many ring-billed gulls are there in Chicago? . The number and size of ring-billed gull colonies across Northeastern Illinois has increased dramatically over the past 30 years. [1] . In 1999, the last time that a survey of the regional population was taken, there were over 67,000 nesting pairs (134,000 ring-billed gulls) in the region. [2] . Based on population surveys of individual sites, we believe that the ring-billed gull population is significantly higher by now. Initial data from 2007 suggest that gull populations increased more than 500% between 1999 and 2007 on Dime Pier and more than 400% in Lake Calumet during the same time frame. How many ring-billed gulls is this project targeting? . 2,914 nests (7,396 eggs) were oiled at Dime Pier; 15,000 nests (41,753 eggs) were oiled on a dike in Lake Calumet. At least 200 nests in each of the two colonies were left un-oiled and tagged as part of the research study to monitor their movement. At the Calumet site, additional nests were left unoiled because to have oiled them would have exceeded the City's Federal and State permits for this project. (In preparing the permit application, the city assumed a 200% increase in ring-billed gull nests in the Lake Calumet region from the 1999 colonial water bird survey. Initial data indicate that the regional population increase is likely closer to 400%). . The start of this project was timed to ensure that only eggs 14 days and younger are oiled, in keeping with the US Humane Society's protocol. . Other nests in the city, for instance on inland lakes and rivers or on roof tops, will not be included in the project. . The only other permit for gull egg depredation within the City of Chicago is held by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for under 1,000 nests on the Chicago locks. Are you just targeting one egg per nest, or all the eggs in the nest? . The USDA is oiling every egg in the nests they are targeting, but they are not targeting every nest in the colony. Did the City get all applicable permits? . The City acquired permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Illinois Department of Natural Resources, after receiving the necessary Form 37 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. . In accordance with the National Environmental Protection Act, (NEPA), USDA prepared a categorical exclusion for these permits. Are other birds harmed in this process? No. There were a few other birds (Herring gulls, Canada geese, Black-crowned night herons) nesting or loafing near the project sites, but none of them were oiled or disturbed during the field work of this project. The 110-5 Black-crowned night heron nests on the Lake Calumet dike were unexpectedly discovered during an initial field visit. Upon siting them, the USDA wildlife biologists stopped work to confer with IDNR. Per IDNR's recommendation, USDA wildlife biologists maintained a buffer from the nests for the two days they were on the dike for oiling and tagging, ensuring that they did not affect the herons' behavior. How will the Chicago Gull Damage Management Pilot Project improve quality of life in the city? . Reducing the number of gulls hatched in Chicago should help limit the number of gulls that frequent our entertainment, recreational, and dining establishments. . Gulls with no chicks will not need to find as much food, so they may visit Chicago Beaches less frequently. . The project is designed in part to gauge the effect that oiling ring-billed gull eggs has on e-coli levels in near shore waters, and thus the effect on swim bans. How will you know if the program is successful? The City is heavily invested in the research activity to determine the impacts of this effort. . As part of our research effort, ring-billed gulls will be marked with a leg band and patagial tag. The tagging does not harm the bird, and is a commonly used research practice. . Ring-billed gulls will be observed throughout the summer to gauge differences in behavior between ring-billed gulls with or without young. A trained biologist will monitor at sites of historical ring-billed gull concentrations. The Gulls sightings may be reported to USDA researchers by local birders. . The City will compare the Chicago Park District's near shore E. Coli data from the 2007 beach season with data from past years. . Land owners and managers (e.g. Navy Pier, the Chicago Park District) will be surveyed to determine if the cost and effort of cleaning up gull droppings decreases as a result of the project. . Full evaluation of this project is expected in September, 2007. The City is happy to share this project's data with those who request it. . Over the long-term, bird counts and studies such as the Colonial Waterbird Survey will be examined to estimate the impact the Chicago Gull Management Pilot Project has had on other bird species. What else is the City or others doing to reduce conflicts between humans and gull populations? . Last year the Chicago Park District introduced covered trash cans and installed signs urging the public to not feed gulls. . The Chicago Park District tested three systems to limit gull loafing last year: border collies to chase gulls, a grid-wire system in the sand at a beach, and modifications to field house roofs. What can individuals do to reduce conflicts with gulls? . Avoid feeding gulls and other nuisance birds. . Dispose of food and litter in enclosed trash receptacles. Why are there so many gulls in a city with no oceans? . Gulls prefer open areas, making urban and suburban lots, beaches and parks ideal habitat. . Gulls are highly adaptable, and can eat almost anything including insects, smaller animals, and food from garbage cans. They can eat their 24 hour calorie needs in 15 minutes at a trash can. . Adult gulls have no predators in Chicago. What else do we know about ring-billed gulls? . Ring-billed gulls are faithful to their nesting sites: 69% return to the colony of their birth to breed themselves; 90% return at some point to the location of previous nests. . Ring-billed gulls are migratory. They did not begin breeding in Illinois until the 1970's. . Ring-billed gulls are generally 16 inches long, with a 49 inch wingspan. . The longest known ring-billed gull lifespan in the wild is 23 years, but the average ring-billed gull lifespan is 10-15 years. For further inquiries, please contact birds@cityofchicago.org. The project is part of the Chicago Bird Agenda, which sets forward the Chicago's strategy to improve bird habitats, decrease bird collisions with buildings, and manage nuisance species in collaboration with over a dozen partner organizations. The Chicago Bird Agenda is available on the Department of Environment's website, www.cityofchicago.org/environment. Recent City of Chicago actions resulting from the Bird Agenda are available by emailing birds@cityofchicago.org ......................................... Footnotes: [1] Data from the USGS Breeding Bird Survey for the period of 1980-2005 indicate that ring-billed gull population has increased 31% per year (P < 0.04) in Illinois and remained stable in Wisconsin (5.2% per year, P = 0.16), Indiana (-3.6% per year, P = 0.83) and United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Region 3 (0.9% per year, P = 0.59). (Sauer et al. 2005 - need full citation) [2] The 1999 Colonial Waterbird Survey covered the shoreline and Islands of the Great Lakes, as well as some inland colonies near the shore of the Great Lakes. Survey data indicated there were 7,381 nesting pairs of Ringbilled Gulls on the Illinois portion of the Lake Michigan Coast, an additional 31,161 pairs of Ring-billed Gulls along the Indiana portion of the Lake Michigan Coast, and 29,166 pairs of Ring-billed gulls at 21 sites along the southern half of the Wisconsin portion of the Lake Michigan Coast. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20070517/15df449d/attachment-0001.html From rbdoeker at yahoo.com Thu May 17 20:15:01 2007 From: rbdoeker at yahoo.com (Randi Doeker - Chicago) Date: Thu May 17 20:15:10 2007 Subject: [BCNnet] RB Gull Management Project - correction Message-ID: <004101c798e9$f724bb50$4001a8c0@rbde5348707dc8> Sadly there are not 110 Black-crowned Night Herons hidden away in Lake Calumet; only 10-15. That was a typo in the original Chicago DOE FAQ on the gull management project. Also, they really blew the colors; the correct matchings are: Lake Calumet, - yellow and blue; Dime Pier - orange and green. Randi Doeker Chicago _____ The following is posted on behalf of the Chicago Dept. of Environment. Questions should go to birds@cityofchicago.org . My executive summary: If you see a gull with a colored tag on its wing, send an email to: james.a.rader@aphis.usda.gov Date - Time Color of tag Location seen; be as specific as possible Number of gulls with that tag color Your name and phone number Randi Doeker Chicago ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- Tagged Gulls and the Chicago Ring-billed Gull Management Pilot Project The Chicago Department of Environment (DOE) has undertaken a research project with USDA's Wildlife Services biologists to help determine how to stabilize the Ring-billed gull population and manage the conflict with humans along the Chicago lakefront. April 2007 counts of RB Gulls at the research locations determined that the populations at the 2 sites have increased by 400-500% since 1999 (an increase much greater than local experts had estimated). It is unknown what the increase in the regional population is, but in 1999, the last time that a survey of the regional population was taken, there were over 67,000 nesting pairs (134,000 ring-billed gulls) in the region. Additionally, anecdotal reports indicate that less aggressive birds (including Forster's Terns) are being harmed by the gull explosion. More details on the project, including data when it is available, are available by e-mailing birds@cityofchicago.org. Birders are asked to help the researchers by reporting any sitings of RB Gulls with colored tags on their wings. DOE thanks you for your efforts. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * This document follows on the City of Chicago's April 23, 2007 press release. Chicago Ring-billed Gull Management Pilot Project May 2007 - FAQs The City of Chicago has requested Wildlife Services, a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, conduct a research project to limit the number of ring-billed gulls that hatch this year and determine if ring-billed gulls without young cause fewer problems. What is the Chicago Gull Damage Management Pilot Project? . The City's Gull Damage Management Pilot Project is a non-lethal way to manage increases in the ring-billed gull population and make Chicago a cleaner and safer place. The project is designed to gauge the effect of oiling gull eggs, with an ultimate goal of reducing the severity and frequency of conflicts with Ring-billed gulls by stabilizing the population. . Over several weeks, Wildlife Service biologists will oil eggs in ring-billed gull nests with food-grade corn oil on Dime Pier just south of Navy Pier and a dike northeast of Gull Island in Lake Calumet. . Oiling the eggs will prevent young from hatching by preventing oxygen from penetrating the shell. . Control nests will be marked and not oiled. . Approximately 400-600 breeding gulls will be tagged with leg bands and patagial tags. Half of these gulls will be from the control population and half from the treated population. A researcher will observe tagged gulls throughout the summer to gauge differences in behavior between ring-billed gulls with or without young. . One nesting adult from each nest in the research population will be marked, and there will be four distinctly marked populations: (1) Dime Pier, oiled nests, orange patagial tag; (2) Dime Pier, control nests, green patagial tags; (3) Lake Calumet, oiled nests, yellow patagial tags; (4) Lake Calumet, control nests, blue patagial tags. . Juvenile gulls from the control nests will also be tagged and monitored. . The city urges birders to post their tagged ring-billed gull sitings by sending an e-mail to james.a.rader@aphis.usda.gov with the following information: . Date and Time patagial tagged ring-billed gull was observed . Color of patagial tag on ring-billed gull . Location where patagial tagged ring-billed gull was observed (street address and/or as specific as possible) . Number of gulls observed with patagial tags at this location (and colors of tags if multiple tagged birds were observed) . Observer name and contact telephone number Why is it important to stabilize Chicago's gull population? . Scientists have shown a potential connection between the presence of ring-billed gulls on a beach and positive tests for E. coli bacteria in the water, which leads to swim bans. For example, a Lake County Health Department study of five beaches found that more than half of the E. coli bacteria in the water samples were from birds (Mike Adam, 2004). A University of Chicago study estimated the City experiences $2.4 million in costs from swim bans ("The Value of Chicago Beaches," Sabina Lee Shaikh, 2006). (To our knowledge, no studies have shown a correlation between human health and avian E. coli. However, USEPA uses E.coli as their indicator to determine swim bans because their studies indicate that E. coli is one of the best bacterial indicators to assess the risk of acquiring a gastrointestinal illness as a result of using recreational waters. The USEPA E.coli indicator protocol is the only recreational water testing protocol accepted by the Federal government.) . Gull droppings accumulate at entertainment, recreational, and dining establishments in Chicago, especially along the lakefront. Attracted to food, gulls frequent eating establishments near the Lake. Navy Pier, the Chicago Park District, and others invest resources in mitigating gull damage. . Anecdotal evidence suggests that other bird species may be impacted by the increase in the ring-billed gull population. Is the goal to eliminate the ENTIRE Gull colony or just control the numbers? . The goal of this project is NOT to eliminate the entire regional ring-billed gull colony. Oiling ring-billed gull eggs in Chicago will help to stabilize the increase in the local ring-billed gull population, but it will not decrease the existing population, especially given that ring-billed gulls live for an average of 10-15 years. How many ring-billed gulls are there in Chicago? . The number and size of ring-billed gull colonies across Northeastern Illinois has increased dramatically over the past 30 years. [1] . In 1999, the last time that a survey of the regional population was taken, there were over 67,000 nesting pairs (134,000 ring-billed gulls) in the region. [2] . Based on population surveys of individual sites, we believe that the ring-billed gull population is significantly higher by now. Initial data from 2007 suggest that gull populations increased more than 500% between 1999 and 2007 on Dime Pier and more than 400% in Lake Calumet during the same time frame. How many ring-billed gulls is this project targeting? . 2,914 nests (7,396 eggs) were oiled at Dime Pier; 15,000 nests (41,753 eggs) were oiled on a dike in Lake Calumet. At least 200 nests in each of the two colonies were left un-oiled and tagged as part of the research study to monitor their movement. At the Calumet site, additional nests were left unoiled because to have oiled them would have exceeded the City's Federal and State permits for this project. (In preparing the permit application, the city assumed a 200% increase in ring-billed gull nests in the Lake Calumet region from the 1999 colonial water bird survey. Initial data indicate that the regional population increase is likely closer to 400%). . The start of this project was timed to ensure that only eggs 14 days and younger are oiled, in keeping with the US Humane Society's protocol. . Other nests in the city, for instance on inland lakes and rivers or on roof tops, will not be included in the project. . The only other permit for gull egg depredation within the City of Chicago is held by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for under 1,000 nests on the Chicago locks. Are you just targeting one egg per nest, or all the eggs in the nest? . The USDA is oiling every egg in the nests they are targeting, but they are not targeting every nest in the colony. Did the City get all applicable permits? . The City acquired permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Illinois Department of Natural Resources, after receiving the necessary Form 37 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. . In accordance with the National Environmental Protection Act, (NEPA), USDA prepared a categorical exclusion for these permits. Are other birds harmed in this process? No. There were a few other birds (Herring gulls, Canada geese, Black-crowned night herons) nesting or loafing near the project sites, but none of them were oiled or disturbed during the field work of this project. The 10-15 Black-crowned night heron nests on the Lake Calumet dike were unexpectedly discovered during an initial field visit. Upon siting them, the USDA wildlife biologists stopped work to confer with IDNR. Per IDNR's recommendation, USDA wildlife biologists maintained a buffer from the nests for the two days they were on the dike for oiling and tagging, ensuring that they did not affect the herons' behavior. How will the Chicago Gull Damage Management Pilot Project improve quality of life in the city? . Reducing the number of gulls hatched in Chicago should help limit the number of gulls that frequent our entertainment, recreational, and dining establishments. . Gulls with no chicks will not need to find as much food, so they may visit Chicago Beaches less frequently. . The project is designed in part to gauge the effect that oiling ring-billed gull eggs has on e-coli levels in near shore waters, and thus the effect on swim bans. How will you know if the program is successful? The City is heavily invested in the research activity to determine the impacts of this effort. . As part of our research effort, ring-billed gulls will be marked with a leg band and patagial tag. The tagging does not harm the bird, and is a commonly used research practice. . Ring-billed gulls will be observed throughout the summer to gauge differences in behavior between ring-billed gulls with or without young. A trained biologist will monitor at sites of historical ring-billed gull concentrations. The Gulls sightings may be reported to USDA researchers by local birders. . The City will compare the Chicago Park District's near shore E. Coli data from the 2007 beach season with data from past years. . Land owners and managers (e.g. Navy Pier, the Chicago Park District) will be surveyed to determine if the cost and effort of cleaning up gull droppings decreases as a result of the project. . Full evaluation of this project is expected in September, 2007. The City is happy to share this project's data with those who request it. . Over the long-term, bird counts and studies such as the Colonial Waterbird Survey will be examined to estimate the impact the Chicago Gull Management Pilot Project has had on other bird species. What else is the City or others doing to reduce conflicts between humans and gull populations? . Last year the Chicago Park District introduced covered trash cans and installed signs urging the public to not feed gulls. . The Chicago Park District tested three systems to limit gull loafing last year: border collies to chase gulls, a grid-wire system in the sand at a beach, and modifications to field house roofs. What can individuals do to reduce conflicts with gulls? . Avoid feeding gulls and other nuisance birds. . Dispose of food and litter in enclosed trash receptacles. Why are there so many gulls in a city with no oceans? . Gulls prefer open areas, making urban and suburban lots, beaches and parks ideal habitat. . Gulls are highly adaptable, and can eat almost anything including insects, smaller animals, and food from garbage cans. They can eat their 24 hour calorie needs in 15 minutes at a trash can. . Adult gulls have no predators in Chicago. What else do we know about ring-billed gulls? . Ring-billed gulls are faithful to their nesting sites: 69% return to the colony of their birth to breed themselves; 90% return at some point to the location of previous nests. . Ring-billed gulls are migratory. They did not begin breeding in Illinois until the 1970's. . Ring-billed gulls are generally 16 inches long, with a 49 inch wingspan. . The longest known ring-billed gull lifespan in the wild is 23 years, but the average ring-billed gull lifespan is 10-15 years. For further inquiries, please contact birds@cityofchicago.org. The project is part of the Chicago Bird Agenda, which sets forward the Chicago's strategy to improve bird habitats, decrease bird collisions with buildings, and manage nuisance species in collaboration with over a dozen partner organizations. The Chicago Bird Agenda is available on the Department of Environment's website, www.cityofchicago.org/environment. Recent City of Chicago actions resulting from the Bird Agenda are available by emailing birds@cityofchicago.org ......................................... Footnotes: [1] Data from the USGS Breeding Bird Survey for the period of 1980-2005 indicate that ring-billed gull population has increased 31% per year (P < 0.04) in Illinois and remained stable in Wisconsin (5.2% per year, P = 0.16), Indiana (-3.6% per year, P = 0.83) and United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Region 3 (0.9% per year, P = 0.59). (Sauer et al. 2005 - need full citation) [2] The 1999 Colonial Waterbird Survey covered the shoreline and Islands of the Great Lakes, as well as some inland colonies near the shore of the Great Lakes. Survey data indicated there were 7,381 nesting pairs of Ringbilled Gulls on the Illinois portion of the Lake Michigan Coast, an additional 31,161 pairs of Ring-billed Gulls along the Indiana portion of the Lake Michigan Coast, and 29,166 pairs of Ring-billed gulls at 21 sites along the southern half of the Wisconsin portion of the Lake Michigan Coast. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20070517/801294e8/attachment-0001.html