Monk Parakeets, Beautiful, Yet Troubled

When I first saw these birds over a decade a ago I thought that perhaps someones pet parakeets had flown away. Vivid green and beautiful everyone in town soon started asking lots of questions about these exotic birds. They rarely flew alone always in flocks, and unlike tropical birds, managed to survive the winters here in Connecticut.

The origin of these birds was clearly by way of introduction and then possibly some cross breeding, I have heard many stories about how they got here but never truly got a consistent story. The only thing that always rings the same is that the were introduced into our area by someones own actions.

Not everyone is a fan of Monk Parakeets, especially United Illuminating who regards them as an infestation. UI has claimed that they build nests on utility poles (see photo above) taking advantage of the warmth put forth by the transformers. The nests that are constructed add additional insulation and restrict ventilation required by UI equipment to not overheat, explode, malfunction or worse cause a blackout.

Friends of Animals has taken up a legal battle to protect these birds from extermination. They have been challenging Woodson and UI for their deliberate and inhumane extermination of them. The situation has culminated into several protests and lawsuits urging for a compromise that protects the lives and habitat of these beautiful birds.

The news today in the CT Post was the final showdown, and the birds lost their case as the court sided with United Illuminating. However, there is still hope because FOA is actively involved in discussions that will hopefully allow for the safe removal of the nests without injury to the birds.

Grid Nears Completion In Milford's Eisenhower Park

All of last week a small helicopter was buzzing my neighborhood pulling wire to complete the final construction of the second and very large electrical grid tower. These towers standing at nearly 120 feet high are strung with two pairs of wire strewn cross eight points.

This power grid is built with the taxes we all pay on our electric bills in conjunction with state and federal assistance and is hoped to save us the consumer money on our future electric bills. We were told this would happen by allowing our state to be more competitive in markets beyond our own.

The entire project has cost billions, and stretches for 75 miles. All cables after the Stratford bridge go underground at the highest expense, and at the consequence of local residential communities having their streets torn apart all through Fairfield County.

The project contractor has been giving local residents near the project pamphlets. These pamphlets are left on peoples doors as the work progresses. In my neighborhood alone those living near the razed areas have been less than happy with the aftermath of the gravel dumping, bulldozing, and un-natural structures that have clearly marred countless views.

A neighbor of mine indicated that the old grid was built using "natural materials, rested below the tree line, and possessed fewer lines. These new ones are more akin to an industrial cold and impersonal steel megalith. Hardly a pretty sight, and I certainly can see the before and after."

The good news is that someone has been somewhat concerned about our watershed, and the Army Corp of Engineers just completed a 4-5 acre drainage site at Eisenhower Park. This is our towns 350 acre nature preserve.

In personally visiting that site it appeared to be constructed on schedule and exactly as the town committee indicated it would be constructed. There is currently water in it along with an extensive fence around it. The purpose of this site is a drainage area that offsets the induced construction damage to the wetlands. The Eisenhower Park project is touted as an improvement boasting more drainage capacity even in the off chance of river flooding. Click HERE for minutes of this meeting.

To conclude this Blog I will say that I am thrilled that this project is rapidly approaching its final stage and conclusion, I now only hope and pray that it will deliver everything we were told prior to its construction and the natural landscape will be allowed to return.

(The above photo is an arial view of Eisenhower Park. At the center is a tan brown diagonal strip indicating how much razing took place while cutting through a natural area.)