Date: 2/12/25 11:21 am From: James V Remsen via groups.io <najames...> Subject: Re: [labird] Update on Harahan's Purple Martin "nuisance" case
LABIRD: it’s great to see everyone going to bat for the martins.
For those on the front line, I’m sure you’re using this in the arguments but just in case … with many thousands of people maintaining Martin boxes in the USA, has there ever been a documented case of the Martins causing a health issue with an owner? Those are the people in most frequent contact with potential problems caused by the excrement, not the neighbors. Also, how many cases are there of heath issues known to have been caused by contact with feces of wild birds in general? It seems to me, naively, that burden-of-proof is on those who would designate PUMA colonies as a health hazard, especially in comparison to other wild birds. I’ll bet the local Mockingbird generates more poop in their yard than the fly-over Purple Martins.
Also, those feces provide free nitrogen-rich fertilizer to the surroundings, including even the beloved lawns.
Also, for those who just don’t like “bugs”, Purple Martins provide free organic bug control. I’m sure there are data on how many flying insects one PUMA consumes per day, which might be useful to include in the public records. Obviously, this is not a point that resonates with people on our LABIRD forum, but in the eyes of the non-ecological-thinking general public, it might.
===================
Dr. J. V. Remsen
Emeritus Prof. of Natural Science and Curator of Birds
Museum of Natural Science/Dept. Biological Sciences
LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
najames<at>LSU.edu
> On Feb 12, 2025, at 12:13 PM, Cathy DiSalvo via groups.io <cedisalvo1...> wrote:
>
> [You don't often get email from <cedisalvo1...> Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
>
> Jennifer and All
>
> I confirmed with Andrew that the hearing is set for March 10 and the trail
> is set for March 12 both at Harahan City Hall 6437 Jefferson Hwy ,
> Harahan. 5:00pm
>
> On Tue, Feb 11, 2025 at 10:09 AM Mac Myers <budogmacm...> wrote:
>
>> Jenn, Jane, Cathy, et al.,
>>
>> Thanks for the update on this idiotic litigation. Please send out a
>> reminder about any future hearings or trials. Also, where is this being
>> heard or tried--in a Harahan municipal court or ??? What government body is
>> responsible for this absurd law or interpretation of law? I think many of
>> us would be glad to write to them expressing outrage at this egregious
>> overreach of government, at the same time letting them know that we'll
>> boycott all Harahan businesses if they go forward with this.
>>
>> Mac
>>
>> On Tue, Feb 11, 2025 at 8:30 AM Cathy DiSalvo via groups.io <cedisalvo1=
>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>
>>> Thank you Jennifer for update and Mr Wilson for diligently defending the
>>> Stamm's and the Martins. It is very important for a show of force at the
>>> trial on March 10. ( if there is one). The Stamm's are currently putting
>>> up their Martin houses and several Martins have already arrived.
>>>
>>> Thanks to All
>>> Cathy DiSalvo
>>> Harahan resident and neighbor to Stamms.
>>>
>>> On Tue, Feb 11, 2025 at 7:23 AM Jane Patterson via groups.io
>>> <seejanebird=
>>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Jenn,
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for the update. I actually spoke to a group of ladies in the
>>> garden
>>>> club in Harahan yesterday. They live in the Stamm’s neighborhood but not
>>>> all of them were aware of the issue.
>>>>
>>>> Question: what is the status of the colony at this point? Purple
>>> Martins
>>>> are starting to return and will no doubt return to the Stamm’s. Will
>>> they
>>>> find housing this year?
>>>>
>>>> —Jane Patterson
>>>> On Tue, Feb 11, 2025 at 7:17 AM Jennifer Outlaw Coulson via groups.io
>>>> <jenniferocoulson...> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Dear LABIRD,
>>>>>
>>>>> *Thank you to those of you who attended the hearing last night!*
>>>>>
>>>>> UPDATE on Harahan’s Purple Martin "Nuisance" Case
>>>>>
>>>>> Breaking news ... last night at the Purple Martin "nuisance" case
>>> hearing
>>>>> in Harahan, attorney and Orleans Audubon Society Conservation Chair,
>>>> Andrew
>>>>> Wilson, presented motions to dismiss. The judge was impressed with the
>>>>> argument that the case should be dismissed based on the Ex Post Facto
>>>>> Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits governments from
>>> passing
>>>>> laws that retroactively punish people for actions that were legal when
>>>> they
>>>>> were committed. A retired couple in Harahan is being charged with the
>>>>> "crime" of keeping Purple Martin houses in their backyard, because
>>> their
>>>>> neighbor has declared the martins to be a public nuisance and human
>>>> health
>>>>> hazard. The fact that this case is being considered at all is
>>> bewildering
>>>>> because Harahan has officially declared itself to be a bird sanctuary.
>>>>>
>>>>> Concerned citizens turned out in droves last night to attend the
>>> hearing
>>>>> and show their support for Purple Martins and the Stamms. The crowd
>>>> ranged
>>>>> from Harahan residents to bird watchers, folks who feed backyard
>>> birds,
>>>>> gardeners and nature enthusiasts.
>>>>>
>>>>> The judge considered Mr. Wilson's argument a strong one, so much so
>>> that
>>>> he
>>>>> delayed the hearing and trial dates by one month, giving the city
>>> time to
>>>>> respond. The hearing is now set for Monday, March 10, 5:00 p.m., with
>>> the
>>>>> trial to follow on Wednesday, March 125:00 p.m., if the case is not
>>>>> dismissed. OAS hopes that you will mark your calendars and plan to
>>>> attend.
>>>>>
>>>>> Sincerely,
>>>>>
>>>>> Jennifer Coulson
>>>>> OAS President
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>
>
>
>
