Housing Shortage?

“Move-On” Trim Job

Cormorants got the “Move-On” trim recently as one can tell by the fresh cut limbs. Nests were already there and babies, although large, are still not ready to take wing so all have stayed without the shelter of the shade. But where will they go? The tree is located on the northeast corner of Mariner’s Village in Marina del Rey.

“This is what happens when you incrementally eliminate most of the environmentally sensitive habitat area (ESHA) over the years, and then remove all ESHA protection from Marina del Rey’s LCP (Local Coastal Plan) on the pretext that there isn’t any,” wrote Nancy Marino of We are Marina del Rey. “I almost never see great blue herons or night herons around the harbor anymore.

“Lessees have netted similar trees at Mariner’s Village and also along Bora Bora Way to prevent birds from using them.

“There used to be a huge number of night herons and snowy egrets in the Ritz Carlton trees along Admiralty and on the side alley. However, 2 or 3 winters ago they hung chain-link nets in the trees, and I haven’t seen any evidence of them since.

“Make no mistake; our birds are being systematically killed off through habitat destruction so that developers and their county apologists won’t have to deal with this pesky issue when the next round of development plans gets rolling.”

Douglas Fay, who is running for county board of supervisors, said he was contacting the California Audubon’s Andrea Jones and LA Audubon’s Dr. Margo Griswold.

“Recently I researched the Ballona Wetland IBA and noticed the mapping did not include the entire Marina Del Rey Harbor and the trees adjacent to the harbor where the nests in question are located,” wrote Fay. The seabird numbers will increase if their habitat becomes more viable, both for nesting and food supply. The County is going in the other direction. I look forward to the conversation.”