East Bay area
Wed, 18 Nov 1998 00:41:44 -0800 (PST)
From: Graham Etherington
I had a quick tour around the Berkeley shoreline and Lake Merritt today (Tuesday). Pretty quiet as it was low tide so most of the shorebirds were miles away, but here are the highlights:
Lake Merritt.
As well as what Larry mentions there were
2 or 3 [first winter] Thayer's Gulls around the 'birds only' area.
A rough estimate of goldeneye numbers would be:
Common Goldeneye - 50
Barrow's Goldeneye - 10
[University of California] Berkeley.
Red-breasted Sapsucker - 1 feeding in trees in just outside of the south
east corner of the perimeter fence of the Greek Theatre (at the top end of
the parking lot)
Nuttall's Woodpecker - (Sunday) same place as Red-br Sapsucker above
Albany racecourse [Golden Gate Fields].
Osprey - 1
American Wigeon - c200
Western Grebe - c30
Greater Scaup - c2000+ distributed in large flocks between Albany and Pt
Isabel. Probably some/a lot of Lessers in there, but all birds specifically
id'd were Greaters.
That's about it for today. Speak to you all soon.
Good birding
Graham Etherington
UC Berkeley
Dept. of Molecular and Cell Biology
2083 Valley Life Sciences Building
Berkeley, CA, 94720
HTTP://Mcbwww.berkeley.edu/undergrad/homepage
FWD: EBRPD: feral cats in the parks
Wed, 18 Nov 1998 13:25:43 -0800 (PST)
From: Emilie
I rec'd this from Bill Scoggins, who kindly granted permission for me to forward this. It may be more than you want to know about [East Bay Regional Park District and] cats...but here it is anyways.
------------------------------
Date: 11/16/98 9:54 PM
From: WNScogginsSubj: EBRPD Staff Report
Date: 11/16/98 9:00:05 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: Marilyn & Paul Davis
To: WNScogginsThank you so much for your help, Bill. I will be at the meeting on Thursday as well. I thought perhaps you had not seen this recent park staff report and it mat be of some interest. In particular, see "Program Recommendations" for the list of 12 parks in which EBRPD wishes to enlist cat feeders as volunteer cat removers (not necessarily a good idea in my book, as long as any "caring for cats" is also allowed). EBRPD is not seeking to re-release cats into formally "managed" colonies, athough it is likely some cat protection advocates will still be lobbying for that. There is quite a bit of ambiguous language in this report, however. The real danger is that the volunteer "removal" program is too much of a long-term "feeding" program, rather than a truly efficient short-term bait and remove program. In fact, you will notice that the Waiver/Release Form, included in these materials, contains the phrase "caring for cats while on EBRPD lands". I personally think cats should never be "cared for" on EBRPD lands, and it is antithetical to the humane treatment of the local wildife. If you have questions, shoot them to me and I will try to answer them. I have followed the issue for the entire 18 months as best I could. See you Thursday.
Sincerely, Marilyn Davis, NSN------------------------------------------------------------
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
INTERDEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCEDate: November 10, 1998
To: EBRPD Natural Resources Committee
From: Tom Mikkelsen, Assistant General Manager
Subject: Feral and Abandoned Cat Study - Program RecommendationsIntroduction:
On April 1,1997 the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District accepted the recommendation of the Board Natural Resources Committee to establish an 18 month program to study feral and abandoned cats in the Regional Parks. The study is composed of three parts: (1) increased public information about feral and abandoned cats; (2) evaluation of a pilot study in San Mateo County(Coyote Point Museum, San Mateo); and (3) cooperation with cat advocacy groups. The study was initiated in response to public requests regarding the management of feral cats within the District parklands. The following is the final report on the Study Program. The first three items shown below are the Board approved program elements.1. Public Information, Education and Law Enforcement
The EBRPD will focus and increase current efforts to notify the general public about The inhumane and illegal practice of feeding and/or releasing animals in the Regional Parks. Park staff including Public Safety Officers, would be directed to give increased attention to educating park visitors regarding this issue and to increase their vigilance in this area. Fines and penalties would be reviewed and the possibility of establishing rewards for reporting abandonment will be considered.2. Track and Review Pilot Program in San Mateo County
EBRPD staff will meet with officials of San Mateo County Parks Department to study and evaluate the results of an ongoing pilot program to establish and track the feral cat colonies at Coyote Pt Regional Park The results of this pilot program would be evaluated for applicability to the East Bay Regional Park District and reported to The Natural Resources Committee. This evaluation is expected to be completed within 18 months.3. Cooperation with Cat Rescue Advocacy Organizations
The EBRPD will establish necessary agreements, protocol's and/or contracts with bona fide organizations and individuals to trap and remove feral and abandoned cats from the Regional Parks. The District and the designated organizations and individuals will implement this agreement for an 18 month period and report the results of the rescue effort to the Natural Resources Committee. The EBRPD will not use lethal means to remove feral or abandoned cats during this 18 month period. Any feral or abandoned cats removed from the parks would be turned over to bona fide cat organizations, humane societies or animal shelters.District staff also conducted an in-house survey of all parks regarding feral animal numbers in order to get a better understanding of the potential scope of the issue. This survey was completed in February 1997 and was based on a similar survey conducted by the District in 1991. A more specific follow up survey regarding cat populations was used to query these same parks in 1998 and a third survey was also conducted to determined the type and number of pets which were housed in District residences. The results of these surveys are summarized in Attachment A, immediately below.
Attachment A
I. Feral Cat Survey
An internal District questionnaire was completed by the park supervisors to determine if feral animals were found in their parks. Thirty two parks reported having feral cats or free-roaming cats in their parks. Of the 32 parks, 15 feel the presence of cats present a threat to wildlife and would like to see them controlled. Of the 15 parks, at least 10 support species listed as State or Federal threatened, endangered, or species of special concern.Twenty four parks currently, or have in the past, trapped cats. At Miller Knox, Point Isabel, Lake Chabot and Garin Park the job of cat trapping is shouldered by volunteers who are actively removing cats from those parks. Cats which are live-trapped by park staff are either brought to or picked-up by animal shelters or animal control. Sometimes, there is a fee for this service. Animals trapped by volunteers at Lake Chabot and Garin Park are held in captivity to attempt to acclimate them to domestic life.
RESULTS:
1. Results of Public Information, Education and Law Enforcement The District has prepared 200 signs (Attachment B) that are posted at park sites where cats have been encountered and/or at Park Information Kiosks Park Supervisors and Public Safety Officers were briefed about the scope and intent of the program and were advised to step up their enforcement activities for illegal feeding and abandonment. Park staff have completed a survey of the number and location of cat populations, as noted above.
2. Results of Track and Review Pilot Program in San Mateo County Staff has completed a review of the San Mateo County, Coyote Point Museum, "Trap, Test, Vaccinate, Alter and Release"(TTVAR) program. While the TTVAR program successfully reduced the number of cats at Coyote Pt., the County has abandoned the program due to continued impacts on park wildlife (ducks, songbirds) from resident cats involved in the TTVAR program. A summary of the program is shown as Attachment C, immediately below.
ATTACHMENT C: The San Mateo County Park Feral Cat Management Program at Coyote Point
I. County Staff Evaluation
Throughout the eighteen month study, District staff maintained contact with Ranger Jess Glley at Coyote Pt. regarding the TTVAR program. Ranger Gilley was in charge of organizing the volunteer efforts and tracking the results of the pilot TTVAR program. He says the program has worked to reduce the park cat population down to about 10 from the original 100+. The program extended over an 18 month period and was organized by the County Parks and the Peninsula Humane Society. Volunteers fed and housed the resident cats, trapped and sought homes for captured animals and released non-adoptable animals back into the park.The program was abandoned in October 1998 due to the unacceptable rate of predation (by cats in the program) to park wildlife (birds, ducks). According to Ranger Gilley, who witnessed most of the attacks on wildlife, the County will not entertain any new requests for TTVAR programs.
3. Results of Cooperation with Cat Rescue Advocacy Organizations The District has developed a "Release, Waiver and Assumption of Risk" form for use by individuals or groups who wish to volunteer their time to help remove cats from the Regional Parks. This form is shown as Attachment D. Public Safety has developed an identification card for care givers.
Throughout the course of the eighteen month study, six volunteers, one person at Garin Park and five people at Lake Chabot, have been working within the District, trapping and removing feral and abandoned cats, and housing them in preparation for adoption. Seventy two cats have been removed by volunteers at Lake Chabot since the inception of the program. At least four cats remain and are the result of recent illegal drop-offs by the public. Volunteers and staff at Garin Park continue to trap both dogs and cats which the public. Volunteers and staff at Garin Park continue to trap both dogs and cats which have been dropped off. Over the last 12 months, at least ten dogs have been trapped by staff. Approximately six cats remain in Garin Park and are the focus of increased trapping efforts.
Attachment D
RELEASE, WAIVER AND ASSUMPTION OF RISKI, (name)----- hereby acknowledge that have voluntarily applied to participate in the -----Cat Rescue Program at the premises of Regional Park, East flay Regional Park District.
I AM AWARE THAT PARTICIPATING IN THE CAPTURE OF CATS (FERAL OR OTHERWISE) AND ACTIVITIES RELATED THERETO INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOCATING, TRANSPORTING AND CARING FOR THESE ANIMALS WHILE ON EBRPD LANDS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ACTIVITY AND I AM VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN THIS ACTIVITY WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DANGERS INVOLVED AND HEREBY AGREE TO ACCEPT ANY AND ALL RISKS OF INJURY THAT MAY OCCUR DURING AND RELATED TO MY PARTICIPATION IN THE -----------CAT RESCUE PROGRAM.
PLEASE INITIAL:
As lawful consideration for being permitted by the East Bay Regional Park District to participate in this activity, I hereby agree that neither I, nor my legal representatives, will make any claim against or sue, the East Bay Regional Park District, its employees, officers and directors, (collectively "District") for personal injury or damage resulting from my participation in the __________________ Cat Rescue Program, unless such injury or damage is caused by the sole negligence or intentional and willful misconduct of the District. In addition, I hereby release and discharge the District from all actions, claims, or demands I or my legal representatives now have or may hereafter have for personal injury or damage, resulting from my participation in the ___________________ Cat Rescue Program unless such injury or damage is caused by the sole negligence or intentional and willful misconduct of the District This release has no force or effect if my injury or damage resulted from my participation in activities on EPAPO lands unrelated to the _________________Cat Rescue Program.
I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND A CONTRACT BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT, AND SIGN IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.
Signature:
Date:PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Public Information, Education and Law Enforcement
The education program begun under the study should be continued. Park staff are directed to maintain signs and interact with the park visitors to educate them to the illegal activity of feeding and abandoning animals at the park. In addition, staff will continue to inform visitors of the impacts from introduced exotic species on the native wildlife and ecosystem. District Police Officers will continue to enforce Ordinance 38 to inhibit the abandonment and feeding of animals in the parks.2. Track and Review Pilot Program In San Mateo County
The Program at Coyote Pt., although effective in reducing the total number of cats in the park, was canceled due to the impact of resident cats on other park fauna. District staff does not believe that the TTVAR program, or any similar program involving maintained colonies of cats would be appropriate for the Regional Park District due to the open space and wildland character of the East Bay Parklands. The Regional Parks houses many State and Federally listed species which are susceptible to predation and disease by free-roaming cats. Establishment of colonies or permitted introductions of cats, even temporarily, would pose a threat to all wildlife as well as these sensitive species.3. Cooperation with Cat Rescue/ Advocacy Organizations
Staff believe the program of cooperation with volunteers to trap and remove cats from the park is appropriate and should be continued where possible, but only under the provisions of the established waiver and release form and formal program guidelines. Parks in which volunteer cooperation would be appropriate are shown in Attachment E, shown below. Pending review and approval by the Board, staff will prepare a Volunteer Cooperation Program that will establish the goal and duration of the individual volunteer program, approved trapping techniques and procedures, priority areas in which to work, and volunteer reporting requirements. The lethal removal of cats will not be permitted unless requested by State or Federal Wildlife Management Agencies, or in extreme cases where endangered or sensitive species are at risk and multiple attempts to remove cats have failed.Attachment E
Potential Regional Parks for Volunteer Cooperative ProgramPoint Isabel Regional Shoreline
Miller Knox Regional Shoreline
Martinez Regional Shoreline
Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline
Garin/Dry Creek Regional Park
Cull Canyon Recreation Area
Don Castro Recreation Area
Lake Chabot Recreation Area
Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Temescal Recreation Area
Kennedy Grove Recreation Area
Sobrante Ridge Regional PreserveII. District Resident Pet Survey
Staff sent a questionnaire to all park residents to discern the type and number of pets which were housed at District-owned residences. Of the 21 respondents, there was a total of 22 pets(12 dogs, 7 cats, 2 reptiles and 1 pig). Information on the number of pets that were allowed to roam freely and/or were strictly "outside" pets was gathered to assess the potential to impact wildlife. Three cats were unconfined and allowed to roam freely greater than 15 hours per week with one cat always left outside. Although 6 of the 12 dogs were reported as "outside,, only, all were enclosed in dog runs or leashed during those periods. Most dogs were regularly walked and only 3 were walked off-leash. One dog was allowed to freely roam, unattended for 5-10 hours per week. Of the 3 cats allowed to roam freely, two had their shots, and one wore a collar. The collar had no license, ID tag or bells attached.Questionnaire Results
Table 1. Estimates of cat numbers within each park based on park supervisors' or other staff's opinions (updated 11/98 for Lake Chabot, Tilden, Coyote Hills and Roberts Parks).
cat #s
Lk.Chabot = 10
M.L.K. = 1
Ardenwood = 8
Coyote Hills = 5
Oyster Bay = 2
Tilden = >25
Redwood = 12
W. Canyon/Alvarado = 6
Cull Canyon = 10-12
Kennedy Grove = 12
Sobrante Ridge = >20
Shadow Cliffs = 1
Miller Knox = 2
LasTrampas = 13
Martinez = 24
Del Valle = 6
Roberts Park = 2
A. Chabot = 6
Contra Loma = 6-10
Mission Peak = 10
Pt. Pinole = 5Results: Park Residence Pet Survey 1997
Of the thirty-six residences which were sent pet surveys, we received 21 responses. Twelve of the twenty-one residents who responded did have pets. These twelve residents owned a total of twenty-two animals (7 cats, 12 dogs, 1 pig, 1 lizard1 and 1 snake). Seven of the twenty-two pets stayed strictly indoors, eight stayed strictly outdoors, and seven spent time both indoors and out. Four pets were reported as being left unconfined and unattended for periods of time. One dog spent 10-15 hours per week unconfined but never unattended. Another dog was reported as being left unconfined as well as unattended for 5-10 hours per week. One cat spent all of its time outside and unattended and one cat spent all day outside but came in at night.
All pets had their required shots except for one pig (who's owner was unsure whether they required any), one dog, and one cat. For the animals spending all or at least some of their time outdoors, eight of fifteen wore collars, while the remaining seven did not. None of these animals wore bells on their collars. Four of the twelve dogs went on walks with their owners unleashed. A couple of residents commented that their pets either did not chase any wildlife, or hunt.
The above information is summarized below:
1. 38 residences, 21 responses.
2. 12/21 (57%) of residents have pets.
3. 22 pets counted from survey [7/22 (31.8%) cats, 12/22 (54.5%) dogs, 1/22 (4.5%) pigs, 1/22 (4.5%) lizards, 1/22 (4.5%) snakes].
4. 7/22 (31.8%) stay strictly indoors, 8/22 (36.3%) stay strictly outdoors, and 7/22 (31.8%) stay indoors and outdoors
5. 1 dog is unconfined 10-15 hrs/wk (but never unattended during that time), 1 dog is unconfined and unattended 5-10 hrs/wk, 1 cat is always unconfined and unattended, 1 cat is unconfined and unattended for >25 hours/week.
6. All pets have required shots except: 1 pig, 1 dog, 1 cat.
7. Of pets who spend time outdoors: 8/15 wear collars, 7/15 do not wear collars, and none wear bells.
6. 4/12 dogs go on unleashed walks with owners.III. Concessionaire's Survey
A phone survey of the District operated visitation or residency at concessions was conducted to determine the rate of pet None of the concessionaires reported bringing pets to work.
Re: Rifle Range Road
Wed, 18 Nov 1998 18:27:13 -0800
From: Kirk Swenson
At 10:22 PM -0800 11/17/98, Larry Tunstall wrote:
A woman who lives in an octagonal house at Terrace and Kensington Rd told me that a pair of Peregrine Falcons nest nearby. Is this possible?
It's more likely that there's a Cooper's Hawk nest in the area. Non-birders who know about Peregrine Falcons may not have heard of Cooper's Hawks or realize that there are other blue/gray-backed raptors in the area.
Kirk Swenson