Our next door neighbor hung up 7 stings that criss-crossed their back yard. When we asked them the reason for this, their answer was that it's to stop a backyard bird invasion.

Earlier in the summer they built a pond in their back yard. They stocked it with close to 20 fish. Within a week, the stock had gone down to 5. When they re-stocked it, the same thing happened. There were no bodies lying about, so the mystery was deepening.

Finally they got an answer from "above." One morning their daughter peeked out of the window and saw a Great Blue Heron standing in their pond, taking her choice of the best fish. The only solution was to set up that ridiculous-looking string. Since then, we haven't seen the Heron (in their back yard at least--she keeps watch at a river nearby) and the fish are doing quite well.

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As the Happy Moments Roll,

Pastor Andrew

Hi,Pastor Andrew!

Praise God that your neighbours did not seek to get a permit to destroy the birds.

This could be quite a controverisal topic in say a commercial/community scale. In aquaculture the exploitation of product by birds (herons, eiders) can get to be "problematic" for growers. Other examples of birds becoming "problematic" include huge crow roostings (very noisy) in residential areas, exploitation of lush golf and park greens by Canada geese, the presence of gulls around every potential source of food on land, etc. BUT these problems are not limited to birds; racoons, and deer are often considered pests. And on the other end of the spectrum why are animals in our National Parks being threatened when they are supposed to be protected? I am afraid these are all examples of anthropocentricity. And in many instances our first thought is to seek and destroy.

Have humans have taken God's words so seriously? Genesis 1:28 says "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiple, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon this earth."

Have we "subdued" the earth by only thinking of ourselves? What did God mean by "subdue"?
What did he mean by "dominion"?

Have we not thought of how "problematic" we have been to birds and other wildlife?

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Lorelei:)

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

It is wonderful when people seek to solve problems humanely.

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

Chatham has a legendary crow problem. Last year they started shooting--our mayor's brother even got hauled in for "cruelty to animals!"

All the shooting and scaring didn't help things. There were still more crows than ever.

This year the town has imported birds of prey--falcons and bald eagles--that they hope will do the job.

The jury is still out on this one.

By the way, I've seen many bald eagles while I was up in Manitoba. It's a magnificent sight to see them flying in bunches in early spring, migrating northward.

Facinating fact: Did you know that the common crow is closely related to the bird of paradise?

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As the Happy Moments Roll,

Pastor Andrew