Fairhope, Alabama
SEASONAL PROBLEM
After dwindling to almost none over the cooler months, over ninety Canada geese of various ages were counted at the beach park one day last week, as is usually the case in late May or early June as new generations hatch or migrants return; only a dozen or so geese of other types and ducks were found.
A study by Auburn University in 2012 found bird feces as one source of the periodic bacterial pollution in the bay and duck pond area; a second phase to pinpoint sources was never funded.
ILLEGAL FEEDING STILL GOING ON
Although it is now technically illegal to feed water fowl in the park (the city council passed an ordinance last year), it is still going on.
Besides contributing to the bacteria pollution of the park and bay/pond waters, biologists warn that feeding the animals may endanger their health ... and attract more seeking easy meals.
SOME CONTROL MEASURES IMPLEMENTED LAST YEAR
Lat year, flashing lights were installed in an effort to reduce their numbers; they have not been reinstalled this year (some may have been damaged by hurricane Nate's storm surge last October).
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| Fairhope municipal beach May 2018 |
SEASONAL PROBLEM
After dwindling to almost none over the cooler months, over ninety Canada geese of various ages were counted at the beach park one day last week, as is usually the case in late May or early June as new generations hatch or migrants return; only a dozen or so geese of other types and ducks were found.
A study by Auburn University in 2012 found bird feces as one source of the periodic bacterial pollution in the bay and duck pond area; a second phase to pinpoint sources was never funded.
ILLEGAL FEEDING STILL GOING ON
Although it is now technically illegal to feed water fowl in the park (the city council passed an ordinance last year), it is still going on.
Besides contributing to the bacteria pollution of the park and bay/pond waters, biologists warn that feeding the animals may endanger their health ... and attract more seeking easy meals.
SOME CONTROL MEASURES IMPLEMENTED LAST YEAR
Lat year, flashing lights were installed in an effort to reduce their numbers; they have not been reinstalled this year (some may have been damaged by hurricane Nate's storm surge last October).
Comments
It would be helpful to hire someone who actually pays attention to his job at the front entrance. We seem to have a very nice gentleman who spends most of his time chatting and inviting visitors into his booth to hang out and who pays NO attention (or very little) to actually looking at the entrance and collecting the fees. The City needs to set up a counter or a camera to check to see that fees are being collected; my visits over the past few weeks make me fear for what may become a huge lawsuit against the City. Our employees need to be professional and do their jobs! While this gentleman is very nice, he is NOT doing his job.