[mou] Exotic Species Law

[Jim Williams]

As one who maintains a bluebird trail of 30 nest boxes and who has been 
active in the national bluebirding community for seven years, I endorse 
the position stated by Steve Hirsch of the Minnesota DNR. I already 
have written him to encourage adoption of this change, and I urge you 
to do the same. Here is what Mr. Hirsch says at the end of the message 
Ms. Stiteler posted:

"Help stop this cycle of releasing rehabilitated house sparrows which 
in turn
cause death or injury to our native song birds, some of which may 
survive to
be treated by rehabilitation centers!"

Rehab centers (think of the current efforts of The Raptor Center to 
raise money) have no fewer difficulties raising needed funds than do 
other non-profits. To spend those limited funds on treatment of 
invasive and foreign bird species that do harm to native bird species 
makes no sense at all. My bluebird nest boxes lost 12 bluebird eggs 
and/or hatchlings to House Sparrow predation last year. I trap and kill 
House Sparrows when I can. I cannot imagine the rationale of treating 
injured House Sparrows (and European Starlings) and releasing them so 
they can kill more (for example) bluebirds. All of Minnesota's 
cavity-nesting bird species can be harmed by the competition offered by 
House Sparrows and starlings for nesting sites. Cavity nesters have 
enough problems just finding suitable places to nest. They do not need 
to compete with invasive species, particularly those on which rehab 
money has been spent.

Jim Williams
Wayzata