found via rm:

Known for gliding along local waterways with statuesque grace, the mute swan is rarely thought of as an environmental hazard. Wildlife experts in Connecticut say that mute swans, like these at Holly Pond in Stamford, devour shoreline vegetation, displace waterfowl and other creatures, and can even attack people. But wildlife experts say that the swan’s elegant facade conceals an ecological menace that devours shoreline vegetation, scares away other waterfowl and can even attack humans. The bird is now a target of a campaign to reduce its numbers in the state’s delicate coastline habitats. The leaders of the effort are conservationists, including the Connecticut Audubon Society, which in the coming months will intensify a campaign to urge state officials to control the swans’ population, which stands at about 1,100. ... Kathryn Burton, president of SaveOurSwans U.S.A., a nonprofit organization in East Lyme, Conn., said the group would actively oppose the Audubon campaign as well. “I’m not going to let it go,” Ms. Burton said. “They really don’t care about the birds. It’s just unjust.” Connecticut’s swan population has more than doubled in the last three decades. Mr. Bull said that one idea for reducing the number of swans was to disrupt the nesting birds’ eggs to limit reproduction, a tactic known as addling. He said the Audubon Society was not suggesting that any of the 1,100 swans in Connecticut be killed — though other states have taken that step. full story

Humans are far more of a threat to the environment than swans. There are only 1,100 mute swans in Connecticut, if the human population of the state were only 1,100 the humans would still have more of an environmental impact, especially if those humans were typical modern Americans.

Environmentalists wanted to kill of the cherry-headed conures in San Francisco, the monk parakeets are always under attack even though they are essentially a replacement species for the extinct Carolina parakeet. Even here in Arlington, the Friends of Spy Pond still hate the geese.

The Audubon society wants to get rid of swans, well in this world nothing should surprise me anymore. Sometimes things still do, but they shouldn't.

zarthon took purpleglitter and I to the Franklin Park Zoo on Sunday for purpleglitter's "second birthday". I saw ostriches poop and perform their impressive mating dance. Those things are big, but they looked friendly. purpleglitter wouldn't let me step over the little fence to get to the big fence which one of the ostriches was trying to stick it's head through. I think it wanted to be pet, but purpleglitter was probably right and that would have been a bad idea.

I also saw a baby gorilla, a lion, some tamarins and lemurs, lounging kangaroos, black swans, Brazilian giant cockroaches, fruit bats climbing around, zebras, peacocks, a capybara, and many many other interesting animals. I wish purpleglitter had brought her camera, we could have had many awsome pictures to post. Alas, a lack, and I can only post my words.

stolen from jucifer:

Boston's beloved pair of swans -- feted by city leaders, residents, and tourists alike as one of the Hub's most celebrated summer attractions -- are a same-sex couple. Yes, scientific tests have shown that the pair, named Romeo and Juliet, are really Juliet and Juliet. full article

Sara came over today. We went over to Spy Pond to feed the geese, but the geese were elsewhere. There were however, many ducks. So we stood around and fed the ducks. As soon as we ran out of food, the geese arrived. I felt bad we didn't have anything left to give them, so we walked back to the house_of_clocks. On the way back, I noticed my fliers were gone. Who took them down, I don't know, but I've got better one's to put up now. Sara thought my old fliers were a bit too ravenous, which might make people less likely to read them, so we toned down the rhetoric a bit (at least at the begining of the flier) and produced a new set of fliers that will go up tonight.

FEED THE GEESE As you walk into this park, you can't help but notice the beautiful birds. Pretty ducks, magnificent geese and regal swans make Spy Pond their seasonal home. The so-called "Friends of Spy Pond" take issue with the natural behavior of these birds. One cannot miss the signs posted by the "Friends", instructing visitors not to feed the geese and other birds claiming that this is for the good of the birds. However, their own literature states that every April the "Friends" gather to addle (kill) the eggs of the geese that nest around Spy Pond. They also claim that stopping the geese is for the good of the grass, as though people would rather see lush grass than natural beauty. However, this claim is easily put to rest as well, as the majority of the damage to the grass around Spy Pond is caused by human foot traffic. The fact is that they can't stand nature intruding on their precious park. Now, in the middle of a major town budget crisis, they want the Town of Arlington to erect an eyesore of a fence around the pond, to prevent these birds from "trampling" the grass, forgetting that birds can fly. This absurdity would funnel money away from our schools and libraries to fund their special-interest anti-bird paranoia. The "Friends of Spy Pond" must be stopped. Feed the geese. Write to Town Hall. Spy Pond should be for everyone, including the geese.

merryperseis and I went out to feed the geese and swans and ducks at Spy Pond. A woman from the "Friends of Spy Pond" came up to us and said "I'm going to have to ask you to stop that.". She explained that there used to be grass growing around spy pond, which there still is except for where the people have trampled. Not to mention there are plenty of places to see grass. I just kept feeding the swans. She then told me that the place was a mess until she and the other "Friends of Spy Pond" cleaned it up last week. I've been going regularly for the last 3 weeks, and it looks exactly the same as it did. The dogs make more of a mess than the birds. I gave some food to a goose. She then stated bluntly that it was illegal in to feed the waterfowl. I calmly replied "Yes.", and gave some more food to the Swans. She walked away in a huff, and I fed the birds.

Yesterday afternoon, I went to the Salvation Army with merryperseis and purpleglitter. I got a ton of new clothes for only $15. I didn't get as much summer stuff as I had planned, but I did get a wonderful knee-length piece of lingerie that will make a very nice summer dress.

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After we got back from the Salvation Army, we went and fed the geese at Spy Pond. Even the swans ate out of my hand. Only the ducks are too timid. Or too short. Or are simply afraid getting in front of the geese.

merrryperseis brought bubbles. After she was done making bubbles, she let me make them. The geese didn't quite know what to make of the bubbles. They'd inspect them as they floated by and the scurry away if they got too close.

A woman who had her toddler at the pond brought her to see the bubbles. She loved playing in the bubbles. She stayed for about ten minutes as I blew bubbles at her. It was big fun. She kept reaching his hand out trying to catch one. They always seemed to miss her hand and hit her face. She didn't seem to mind. In fact she laughed every time one hit her face.

I took much time to smell the flowers on the way back. Spy Pond is a little piece of paradise right in Arlington.

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After Spy Pond, we sat and talked in the livingroom fo an hour or so, then purpleglitter went home. Rosey joined merryperseis and I on a trip to the Diesel Café. The Diesel's front windows can be raised in a garage door type fashion as they were today. We sat at a table right on the edge of the sidewalk, which was very convenient, as Rosey could smoke and talk to us at the same time.

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Back at home, merryperseis and I spent a beautiful romantic evening together. The day would have been perfect if I didn't have a freakout in the closet after merryperseis went to bed. I woke her up and she helped me get back into a good state so I could sleep. Even with that sour note, the day was wonderful, One I wouldn't mind repeating.

merryperseis and I went down to Spy Pond again today.The geese and ducks and swans followed us as we walked around Spy Pond and I fed them.. I love feeding them. The geese are my favorite. They'll eat right out of my hand. They mob me from all directions and push to get in front. Somehow it all is very calming to me. Interspecies connections are very important.

Walked down to Spy Pond and fed the geese with merryperseis today. Swans and ducks joined the geese this time in surrounding us. After we ran out of food, we walked around the pond looking at the beautiful blossoming trees. Flowers everywhere. Spring is in full force and glory today. The air is happy and alive.