Save the Raptors -- More Light Standards, Fewer Trees

I was listening to Dennis Prager a couple of days ago and he cited a WSJ article regarding the spotted owl (I would link it, but I don't subscribe). The theme of the article was that although logging had been halted in vast areas where spotted owls were "threatened" (sacrificing tens of thousands of jobs), the spotted owl population is still declining at a rate of up to 7% per year. The decline was attributed to the incursion of the larger, more aggresive barred owl into the spotted owls' territory. It seems that once again the biggest threat to nature is not man, but more nature.

This story got me thinking about birds of prey here in Minnesota. At least 2 or 3 times a week I see a red-tailed hawk on the way into work. One day I saw 3 between NE Minneapolis and the Edina/Bloomington area. Not one of those birds I sighted was in a tree. No, the hawks are ALWAYS on the light standards along the highway. The hawks seem to prefer the artificial aluminum branch to its natural alternative. The light standards are out in open space and quite often reach up above the trees, giving the hawks better view of potential prey.

A strong raptor population is good for Minnesota. Besides being beautiful animals, they help reduce the number of pests such as mice, rats and squirrels. To encourage a healthy hawk population, write your state representative and tell him or her that we need to start clearing more trees and putting up light poles. They don't need to be hooked to power. The hawks don't seem to care. Since the hawks like being along the roadside, recommend to your representative that we build more roads and highways, too. Please do your part to help the environment. The hawks are counting on you.