17: San Antonio's 'War on Birds' Keeps Expanding

Two years ago, the City of San Antonio launched a war on the bird of Elmendorf Lake. The target was the hundreds of cattle egrets who have been roosting at this Westside ecological gem for decades. By razing the island to the ground, and dismantling possibly hundreds of nests, the assault destroyed the nesting ground for many related migratory birds. Many young were killed. The action was justified as protective of military flights at Kelly Air Field on the Southeast side. Data points to one bird strike per year linked to cattle egrets, while literally thousands of strikes per year at all city airfields are logged to other species. Yet the harassment with pyrotechnics and lasers has followed the birds across City park system and even along the river in artsy Southtown. Yesterday, Deceleration caught up with local bird photographer, friend, and defender Alesia Garlock about the newest warning signs: "Bird Mitigation Plan" signage promising dawn-and-dusk bird harassment at Woodlawn Lake. We spoke as dozens of Yellow-Crown Night Herons nuzzled and roosted above us. At least one mother to be was obviously splayed over her eggs. Can San Antonio's War on the Birds end here?

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