Areas around the millpond in Aragon are empty during early morning before ducks begin arriving for their usual handouts from the public. (Agnes Hagin/thepolkfishwrap.com)
In June, Mayor Ken Suffridge focused on the problem and asked Councilman Curtis Burrus to oversee the task.
Burrus has researched the subject of the guilty fowls and discovered they are Muscovy ducks. These intruders are easily identified by their black and white markings.
He informed council members that they cannot be released into the wild, but any governmental entity can remove them.
Burrus presented an action plan, which includes public education, an ordinance and enforcement.
City Clerk Lori Dunn worked with Aragon officials to compile information from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Migratory Bird Management. These facts are being placed in a newsletter to Aragon residents.
Highlights include points made by Burrus.
“Food handouts often result in large numbers of birds competing for very limited supplies in small, concentrated areas ...
"The generous act of feeding waterfowl can be a continuing cycle of birds becoming injurious to people and being subjected to diseases that can spread easily as humans catch the common cold.
“If you care for waterfowl (ducks), stop feeding them.”
Burrus said an education campaign will begin and an ordinance adopted. Thereafter, enforcement can begin and/or other measures taken to solve the problem.
He emphasized that a wetlands area is located below the pond and the ducks could possibly go there if they are not fed.
“I have checked federal regulations, and talked with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR),” he said.
If the decision is made to remove the ducks, DNR officials have agreed to provide guidance to assure the right ones are removed, Burrus said.
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