Delist the Mute Swan

[Buddy Boy]

798 Highway 59
Port Rowan, Ontario
N0E 1M0

March 29, 2022

Mr. Toby Barrett
MPP, Haldimand-Norfolk
Post Office Box 91
Simcoe, Ontario
N3Y 4K8

Re: Delist the Mute Swan

Dear Mr. Toby Barrett:

The issue regarding delisting the Mute Swan from the List of Protected Species needs to be addressed since this is an invasive species that should never have been added to the list in the first place ... please correct the mistake now.

I have included two photographs of the inner part of Long Point Bay behind my house ... one how a wetland should look like at this time of year with Canada Geese, Canvasbacks, Red Heads, Bluebills, Ring-Necks, Buffleheads and Coots feeding and another how the same wetland actually looks like at this time of year after the Mute Swans arrive in the area.

The second photograph only shows six (6) Mute Swans behind my house but there were actually 24 Mute Swans forming a "wall" behind our four (4) properties (one property is a double lot) at the time.

Sincerely,



Jerome Katchin, D.V.M.

PS The photographs were taken on March 27 and March 28, 2022.
PS The swans, geese, ducks and coots were about 40 meters from my sea wall and the species mentioned above were identified using regular (7 x 35) binoculars.

c.c.

Dr. L. Lewis, Member of Parliament, Haldimand-Norfolk
Mr. J. Hughes, Manager, Wildlife & Habitat Assessment, Ontario Region, CWS
Dr. J. Leafloor, Acting Head, Aquatic Unit, Prairie Region, CWS
Mr. J. Fisher, Vice-President of Canadian Policy, Delta Waterfowl
Mr. S. McGuigan, Development Director, Delta Waterfowl
Mr. A. Lombardo, Executive Director, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
Mr. M. Ryckman, Manager of Policy, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
Mr. J. Stewart, Acting Manager, Wildlife Section, Conservation Policy, NDMNRF

[GloHole]

How is a migratory bird an invasive species?

[rick_iles]

How is a migratory bird an invasive species?

They are not native to North America. They come from Europe. They are an aggressive bird that take over the habitat of our native migratory birds. I’ve seen huge areas of marsh that once were filled with duck and goose nests, totally taken over by a few pairs of these things. They are just plain mean, killing ducks and goose goslings. I’ve seen them attack people in boats that get near their nests……they do need to be delisted and thinned out big time …IMHO..

[Tigboy 304]

The bird is not native to the continent and is considered an invasive species outside of Europe and Asia

[FishHog]

But they are pretty so good luck getting it changed

Always makes me laugh that the animal lovers protections depends on how cute or pretty an animal is

Mute swans should be aggressively eradicated but I don’t see it happening

[sabmgb]

I watched one actually slam into the back of 23ft boat that was just putting along, scared the crap out of the people in the boat. Isn't this another one of these birds from a Shakespeare story that someone here decided would be nice to have in their pond, so brought it over from England?

[Gadwall]

Thanks Jerome ... I completely support your initiative, and, if they taste good, will fill a freezer with them if delisted. There are so many in our area, all year round and the numbers grow every year. They are bullies, and way too successful at breeding.

[Sprite]

How is a migratory bird an invasive species?

Is this a serious question? I'm going to chalk that one up to an early 'April Fools' joke.

[GloHole]

Is this a serious question? I'm going to chalk that one up to an early 'April Fools' joke.

Silly me for thinking that birds fly.

[Buddy Boy]

Silly me for thinking that birds fly.

Hello GloHole,

The Mute Swan is officially recognized as an "invasive species" by the Canadian Wildlife Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, The Trumpeter Swan Society, the Province of Ontario and several Great Lakes States where these miserable birds exist.

The Mute Swan did not migrate (fly) to North America and established itself as a species on this continent ... the Mute Swan was brought over by humans on ships (as previously indicated) in the late 1880s as ornaments for local parks ... the rest unfortunately is history.

Jerome