The Village of Elnora will investigate a complaint about birdhouses, even though some councillors doubted a problem actually exists. The discussion was held at the Aug. 13 regular meeting of council.
Village Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Sharon Wesgate provided councillors with a report about a complaint that came to the municipality regarding an address that has “multiple oversized birdhouses.”
Wesgate’s summary stated, “While it is recognized there are benefits to having birds control the insect population, a high density (of birds), even seasonally, creates issues in residential areas.”
Wesgate’s summary went on to state multiple oversized birdhouses at one address can create an unsanitary situation.
“There is an excessive amount of bird feces, detrimentally affecting properties in the vicinity,” stated the CAO’s report, adding the bird droppings can permanently stain vinyl siding.
Her report also noted the droppings can make garden produce questionable to consumer, yard furniture is likewise covered in droppings while people and vehicles can also be directly hit by feces.
As well, the CAO stated multiple oversized birdhouses could involve a substantial number of birds that cause noise.
The CAO’s recommendation was to amend the applicable bylaw to limit the number of oversized birdhouses permitted on a property.
During discussion councillors agreed they thought they knew the property that the complaint was aimed at and that it involved a number of large bird hotels that accommodate a species of avian called purple martins.
According to the Purple Martin Conservation Association the birds are gregarious and prefer to nest in groups; hence, each birdhouse tend to be multi-level and host quite a number of them.
Mayor Jul Bissell noted one complaint probably isn’t enough for council to change a bylaw, noting this is the first time he’s ever heard oversized birdhouses were causing a problem. “Nobody’s mentioned it to me,” said the mayor, adding he has fruit trees in his yard that attract birds and he’s never experienced any trouble.
Coun. Lisa Ferguson stated she saw no problem with any number of birdhouses on a property and agreed with the mayor that she’d never heard about this problem before.
However, councillors directed the CAO to contact other municipalities to see if they limit the number of oversized birdhouses on a property and report back at a future meeting.
Security cameras
The village continues to investigate the pros and cons of security cameras in the municipality.
Wesgate told councillors she’d contacted some retailers and received some prices but not all cameras offer the same capabilities.
A memo provided to councillors suggested all-weather, night vision-capable cameras would be placed at intersections along Main Street.
As the CAO stated she wasn’t finished investigating installation costs, councillors elected to table the security camera topic to a future meeting.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review