All,
This is a great story which, thanks to all who took action, has a happy
ending. Never miss an opportunity educate the general public about the
mysterious life of birds. Thanks to all who arranged the cooperative effort
of various groups.
As President of the Tennessee Ornithological Society, we are proud of all of
our members who have been a participant in this effort on behalf of Purple
Martins.
Danny Gaddy
From: tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Kim BaileyT
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2020 9:24 AM
To: roy mcgraw <rmcgraw06@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: tn-bird <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>; grahamgerdeman@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: [TN-Bird] Re: Purple Martins in Nashville are safe
Dear Roy and others,
Thank youfor writing about your support for the purple martin roost.
Jonathan Marx, the COO of the symphony responded to calls and emails from
tuesday night saying the symphony was grateful to be educated about the
purple martins and would not harm them. They assumed they were all
starlings, which do roost adjacent to the plaza and along 3rd avenue. Last
night a dozen or so birders met Jonathan at the plaza and he experienced the
birds flying in for the night. Many people thanked him for his willingness
to work with us and he thanked the many volunteers who have offered to help
with clean-up. A coalition including The Nature Conservancy, TOS, Tennessee
Wildlife Federation, local government and birders have agreed to work to
support both the birds and the symphony. It was beautiful to see such a
turn-around in less than a day, with the action of concerned citizens. The
mood last night was one of incredible energy and enthusiasm for partnership.
Melinda Welton was interviewed by Blake Farmer of WPLN last night at the
plaza so it should be on air today.
Kim
_____
From: roy mcgraw <rmcgraw06@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:rmcgraw06@xxxxxxxxx> >
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2020 8:07 AM
To: kimhbailey@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:kimhbailey@xxxxxxxxxxx>
<kimhbailey@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:kimhbailey@xxxxxxxxxxx> >
Cc: tn-bird <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >;
grahamgerdeman@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:grahamgerdeman@xxxxxxxxx>
<grahamgerdeman@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:grahamgerdeman@xxxxxxxxx> >
Subject: Re: [TN-Bird] Purple Martins threatened in Nashville
Kim and all on this email distribution:
I sent an email to the mayors office and copied the city legal office this
morning requesting an immediate end to this action.
I encourage everyone to do something similar .
Thanks!
Roy McGraw
Franklin, TN
On Aug 25, 2020, at 9:57 PM, Kim Bailey <kimhbailey@xxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:kimhbailey@xxxxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
Tonight at the Purple Martin roost in downtown Nashville, John Noel
discovered an Animal Pro truck parked in the symphony plaza was waiting to
"fog" the trees holding the purple martins. They had been hired by the
symphony because they claimed it was a public health issue. The small group
of birders present (John, Melinda Welton, Mary Glynn Williamson, Ann Paine,
Kim Matthews and myself) began to frantically make phone calls. I talked to
the two people in the truck and told them the birds were protected by the
Migratory Bird Treaty and they did not have the necessary authority to
continue with their plans. I was able to reach Matt Norman of TWRA who
agreed to contact the company and tell them they could not proceed tonight.
They said they would work on a new plan. I have asked Matt Norman to follow
up with them tomorrow and let them know they cannot be harassed. If any of
you have contacts at the symphony or the mayor's office, please lend your
voice so that we can educate the city about the importance of protecting
these birds. We aren't convinced they are out of the woods yet.
Kim Bailey
Nashville
_____
From: tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > on
behalf of Graham <grahamgerdeman@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:grahamgerdeman@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 9:23 PM
