“A Murder of Crows”
Normally this means “a flock of crows.”
To me, here in Blind Bay, it means the wanton shooting of crows. I can no longer stand by and let these “murders” go on without speaking out.
On a bright sunny day last summer I was standing on my deck watching a young crow perform his “song.” He was able to make at least six different sounds – mimicking other birds and even a cat and dog. While I watched he suddenly pitched backward (his right wing drooping) and fell several feet to a branch below where he tried to stabilize himself on another branch.
In less than a minute I heard a shot (a pellet gun I believe) and I watched in horror as a bright red patch appeared on the crow’s chest as he tumbled to the ground – dead!
I never learned who shot him.
I learned recently that someone living on Ta Lana Trail is shooting crows regularly. Could this be one of the reasons there is a significant reduction of crows in our area?
I have seen the damage done by people shooting birds – drooping, injured wings and parts of their legs and feet missing.
Crows are intelligent birds and are beneficial to our environment by keeping insect pests at bay. One of my more enlightened neighbours has watched the crows pulling dew worms and large white grubs from his lawn.
I would like to believe that if people would learn more about these birds (there are several documentaries on TV) and accept that all creatures deserve our respect maybe the “murders” in Blind Bay and elsewhere would end.
H. Stoddart