[Tweeters] Snow Goose article

[jimbetz at jimbetz.com]

Martha,

   Thanks for posting that.  I am glad that I got to read it.

   It was "interesting" because it is primarily written from
the point of view of farmers who do not appreciate the Snows -
and provides only minimal space to any opposite opinions.
   I'm not saying their point of view is invalid - I'm just
saying that there are other opinions.

   We live in Skagit County.  Many of the farms here plant crops
that are specifically targetted to the snow geese being able to
use them.  And the birds don't show up until November and leave
in March (some but not many on either end) ... so they don't
affect the farms (or at least not that much?).  The fields that
are planted with goose friendly crops also reap benefits in
terms of how much "processing" the geese do of the crops
(converting the crop to fertilizer that is left right there in
the fields they fed in).  I also believe/have heard that there
is a program where the farmers are paid for planting "bird food".

                                       - Jim in Burlington