skip to main content

Texas Gardening

kid/young adult shooting Purple Martins

14 years ago

I was walking in a field behind my house. I saw a kid and what had to be a dude in his twenties shooting BB gun/air rifle at Purple Martins, Grackles and other birds in Burleson, TX.

I yelled at them that it was extremely illegal to kill native TX birds. They were in their own yard on a trampoline. Any suggestions?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

denisew
14 years ago
If it is within city limits, call the police. I'm pretty sure that most cities have laws where you are not allowed to discharge any kind of firearm - even bb guns or air soft guns within the city limits. Maybe call the police anyway since it is against the law to harm any migrating bird and even though we don't like grackles, they are on that list because they do migrate. If you look up the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, you'll see why it is illegal.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wikipedia - Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
sfmathews
14 years ago
That's just wrong! And very maddening! Especially the martins!

Susan
Related Discussions
A purple martin got one of my fish this morning.
Q
Comments (7)
After trying to pay attention I am seeing birds with different color beaks but haven't paid attention to the tails so that will be my next thing to look after. I am believing that there are different types of birds around here now as there are some that have dark beaks and some with light, don't know about my fish thief though as I havne't seen it happen again. I have realized some have yellow eyes and some black but did not pay attention to beak color, again, at the same time as the eyes. I need to be more observant. There are also some that land on my feeder and eat and some that forage the ground and some that walk like pigeons with the bobbing head. I'm trying to pay more attention when I have spare times to sit and watch and tell the difference between the different types I'm seeing and their behaviors so maybe I can figure this out and learn more about what is in my yard. My first instinct was the martin because of the colonies and I always see them flying, as described (When I first moved here I thought they were some kind of hawk babies because of their flight). Now I'm realizing that there are more than one type of birds that I'm seeing.
...See More
Doing the Subbie dance in Larimore (Purple Martins)
Q
Comments (2)
I go to a restaurant out in the woods, that has gourds, for the marlins, and they were all over the place around the gourds. Totally fascinating. Enjoy! Wish I lived in a place that I could enjoy!
...See More
First Purple Martin Fledges at my colony
Q
Comments (8)
They eat all sorts of flying insects...not just mosquitos...but all flying insects...and only flying insects. They eat flying beetles, flies, wasps; dragonflies, about anything that will fit in their wide, soft mouths. My neighbors insist we have fewer mosquitoes in the area, and while the PMs do eat mosquitos, the Barn Swallows probably eat far more. They won't eat from feeders or bathe in bird baths. They drink and bathe "on the wing" by flying low over creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes, etc. They're a native species bird that was on the brink of extinction due mainly to the non-native English House Sparrows and English Starlings - which also have severely threatened other cavity nesters that use to be so plentiful...bluebirds, chickadees, tree swallows, woodpeckers of all varieties, nuthatches, etc., and lack of available housing. The PMs winter in southern Brazil, and make the migration back each spring to nest in Northern America from the southern-most tips of Florida and Texas up to north of Winnepeg, Canada. They're beautiful; they sing and chatter and have lovely flight displays. They return to the same area to nest each year and they nest only in man-made housing. The east coast native Americans were providing gourd housing for the PMs around their villiages before Columbus discovered America. They're fascinating, fun, frustrating at times (when weather and HOSP destroy them), and they need us! I could go on and on...but (thankfully, LOL) I have to run to the commissary. The photo shows some of my babies last year. I've not had time to download my recent photos, but I'll get it done before too long. Here is a link that might be useful: Purple Martins! Read all about 'em here!
...See More
Still have one active Purple Martin nest; and hawk woes
Q
Comments (5)
Always a treat to hear about your 'babies', Caroline. We're on round three of Cardinals -- if the young ones a-courtin' now lay eggs. We have mature arbor vitae around two sides of our lot -- and some privit that they seem to favor. I was drawn to the creek last week by calling between a pair of (I think?) Flickers and their four 'kids'. (Whistling cries; spotted breasts; red 'gorgets' on their necks.) They were searching for insects on tree trunks -- and probably finding plenty of emerald ash borers. We have some big tree removal bills coming up!
...See More
lnewport
14 years ago
What idiots. People these days. Seriously.
texasflip
14 years ago
Teach them to identify European starlings and let them have at 'em.
pjtexgirl
Original Author
14 years ago
I think yelling at them and telling them about the fines etc...might have gotten their attention. I saw them shooting at a target instead later. I will check up occasionally to make sure they don't do it again. If I catch them at it again I will call the police/game warden. Thanks!
calverttx
14 years ago
I can beat that. Last summer the mud Martins or barn swallows nested on a neighbors front porch. She used wasp spray and killed them.

I had them one time trying to build on my front porch. I shooed them away all morning and then I had to leave. I put the broom upside down and used an old towel for flowing hair, thought that would keep them away. When I returned 4 hours later they had their nest built on top off the broom. We laughed all summer. If you love the gardens and the birds you must have a sense of humor.
Lynn Marie
14 years ago
Don't know if I could be mad at them for shooting grackels. Those things are a nuisance!!!
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
14 years ago
Kids just don't know sometimes. I had a little next door neighbor boy that was shooting the Purple martins around the martin house in MY yard. I told him it was illegal to kill Purple martins and besides some of them had babies that would starve if he killed the parents, and anyway he shouldn't be shooting any living things. He didn't do it anymore.
honeybunny2 Fox
14 years ago
It's kinda funny, this past weekend my husband was tilling the lawn, so we could replant grass. We kept finding pieces of white ceramic doves. It brought back the story of when my son was about 7 or 8, he took my dove wind chime, and used it for target practice with his BB gun. He left one dove. I never knew what he did with the broken pieces until now. Barbra,

Related Stories

KIDS’ SPACES Room of the Day: The Young Adults’ Section

By Bryan Anthony

A Connecticut couple create a fun yet sophisticated hangout space for their maturing children

BATHROOM DESIGN Room of the Day: Kids and Adults Share a Bright 40-Square-Foot Bathroom

By Annie Thornton

Splashes of lime green add a playful touch to this efficient and economical second bath

GARDENING GUIDES Let Lilac Love Flower This Spring

By Alison Hodgson

Whatever you bestow or receive for Mother's Day, lilacs can be an unmatched gift in the garden in May

KIDS’ SPACES 5 Teen and Tween Girls' Rooms With Fresh-Faced Style

Youthful and light, these girls' bedrooms show an age-appropriate mix of playful spirit and design-savvy sophistication

SPRING GARDENING Spring Planting: Wonderful Wisteria

By Sheila Schmitz

Classic Vines Add Fragrance, Color and Romance to Garden Designs

APARTMENTS Houzz Tour: Downtown Cool in an Uptown Duplex

By Becky Harris

Minimalism goes family friendly in a Manhattan apartment with abundant hidden storage and an entire level just for the kids

PURPLE Color Guide: How to Work With Lavender

By Samantha Schoech

Ever fresh, lavender comes in many flavors for the home: sophisticated neutral, cool accent and, yes, perennial nursery favorite

KIDS’ SPACES Kids’ Rooms: 10 Gender-Neutral Nursery Ideas

Create a sweet space to suit you and your new baby — whether a boy or a girl

KIDS’ SPACES See an Arizona Nursery That’ll Never Get Old

By Becky Harris

Age appropriate but not childish, this baby boy’s room will grow with him without a redesign

KIDS’ SPACES A Place of His Own: Boy's First Bedroom

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Colorful, creative, themed or not, boys' bedrooms like these encourage happy times

Sponsored

Columbus Premier Design-Build and General Contractor

More Discussions

Placing the TV on the wall and designing the artificial stone behind t

1

If anyone still reads here …

5

Costco bareroots in TX -- 2 plants $16

2

cleaver invasion

2

Crossvine oddness

4