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City of Powell River committee of the whole hears opposing views on bird feeding

Councillors ask for staff report on the issue
Powell River City Hall
Powell River City Hall. Peak archive photo

Feeding of birds, pro and con, was a topic of conversation at the City of Powell River Council committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, December 3. Councillors heard two delegations regarding the matter.

Powell River resident Flora Walton appeared before the committee to notify councillors about troubles she has had with the bylaw process. She said an unannounced visit from a bylaw control officer at her house may have been as a result of a complaint, which was copied to the city, apparently based on an outdated city bylaw handout, said Walton.

“The bottom line is, I feed songbirds and I really, really enjoy that,” said Walton. “I have a friend who shares my enjoyment with me, and he can whistle and the little birds come out of the bushes and sing. It’s really beautiful and I enjoy it.”

Walton said she has a small wire enclosure on her deck that has been approved by a conservation officer. She said it is there to keep pigeons out but the little birds can go in and out.

Walton then spoke of interactions with city staff but was informed the committee of the whole meeting was not the proper forum for discussing personnel.

Councillor Cindy Elliott, chair of the committee of the whole, said she encouraged Walton to meet directly with city staff members who could address her concerns.

Walton said her understanding of why she had to be in front of the committee was because a city staff member told her the only way to address this issue was to apply to be a delegation before the committee.

She said the prospect of fines would bankrupt her so she was before the committee because of that. Walton said she was told she had to appear before the committee or the fines would start.

“I understand, by the current bylaw, that I can feed my birds,” said Walton. “The BC wildlife officer came over and I showed him my area and he approved my bird feeding station.”

Chief administrative officer Russell Brewer said staff would follow up with her. He added that his understanding is that there are no fines at this time.

“We can follow up subsequent to this outside of the committee of the whole with you,” said Brewer.

Walton was told she could follow up with corporate officer Chris Jackson, to which she replied, “terrific.”

The committee then heard from resident Kate McCahon, who took an opposing stance on the feeding of birds. She said she and her husband and other residents have issues with the current bylaw. She said she was appearing before the committee to highlight the danger of diluting the bylaw and is asking the city to review it so it reflects the majority of residents.

“We are asking the city to look at updating the current bylaw to enforce rules and penalties around the feeding of non-native or dangerous wildlife,” said McCahon. “We would like the city to consider banning the feeding of all non-native species to discourage the infestation of these animals and birds within the city limits, in the hopes of preventing them from occurring in such numbers as to cause disruption to residents’ peaceful enjoyment of their homes and recreational areas of the city.”

Pigeons and rats are being attracted to the bird feeders, said McCahon, and carry diseases that humans are susceptible to. She lives with this every day in her home environment, she added.

“I feel if the city had responded in a firmer manner earlier on, this potentially would not have gotten to the condition it is now,” said McCahon. “The problem we have as a community is if the bylaws aren’t able to be enforced, then it leaves the people who are in the situation of dealing with it in quite a difficult position in how they get rid of the animals.”

The simplest solution, said McCahon, would be if the residents that commit these behaviours stopped feeding the non-native birds.

She asked councillors to look at the pictures provided and decide if they would be happy to have their homes covered in fecal matter, be subject to disruptive noise and property damage the feeding creates and to face increased risk of serious illness from the bird mess and rodent activity. She asked councillors to review the information and assist the city to either enforce the existing animal control bylaw, or amend it if necessary, to address “this untenable situation and permanently stop the feeding of non-native and dangerous wildlife on our street and within city limits.”

Councillor Maggie Hathaway said that perhaps staff could take a look at these things with the bylaw in hand and provide councillors with some information on how or if they should proceed in any way.

Councillor George Doubt said it appeared that staff was being asked to come back with a report on the animal control bylaw that includes information on the feeding of birds and whether the bylaw needs to be changed from the current restriction of feeding pigeons.

The committee gave unanimous consent for staff to come back with a report.