Se '~A COUNCIL REPORT ABBOTSFORD Report No. COR 089-2015 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Date: December 10, 2015 File No: 3900-20 To: Mayor and Council From: Bill Flitton, Director, Legislative Services/City Clerk Subject: Starling Trapping Program RECOMMENDATIONS 1. THAT the City of Abbotsford contribute $30,000 for a pilot Starling Management Program, operated by the local berry farming industry; 2. THAT staff be directed to engage the BC Blueberry Council, the BC Blueberry Growers Association, and other relevant agencies, to implement an industry operated Starling Management Program; and 3. THAT the operators of the program be requested to report back to Council in the Fall of 2016 regarding the effectiveness of the program. SUMMARY OF THE ISSUE Council, in March 2015, adopted an Audible Bird Scare Device Bylaw to deter Starlings from damaging crops; however, audible bird scare devices have limited effect on Starlings. Other options to deter Starlings include other bird scare devices or trapping of live birds. In February 2015, when considering further amendments and Three Readings of the Audible Bird Scare Device Bylaw, Council directed staff to report back to Council on a strategy on trapping juvenile Starlings. Staff waited until the end of the season and confirmation of trapping results before bringing forward a Starling trapping update to Council. BACKGROUND Starlings were originally a non-native species of bird to North America until in the late 1800s when some were released in Central Park in New York as part of the promotion of a William Shakespeare play. Eventually Starlings migrated to the west. Starlings began to re-emerge, after a brief absence, in the Pacific Northwest in the 1940s and now number in the millions. Starlings are now responsible, annually, for damage to local berry crops, other fruit crops, and animal feed, etc. ranging from thousands of dollars to millions of dollars. Farmers through their frustration have relied on various deterrents; however, the most effective is believed to be propane cannons. An alternative to the propane cannon, aside from other forms of deterrents, is live trapping of Starlings. Report No. COR 089 -2015 Page 2 of 4 DISCUSSION Numerous studies have been undertaken to study the effectiveness of a wide variety of Starling deterrents limited to, but not including the following: Propane cannons, netting, falconry, streamers, bird distress alarms, ATVs, drones, lasers, other audible bird-scare devices, kites, bird repellent sprays, air dancers, animals, people, etc. The difficulty with the studies is that they largely have not been able to empirically determine the effectiveness of any one device, other than to suggest that they all seem to have some effect. This includes Starling Trapping Programs. This evidenced by research contained in the study "Investigation of Starling Populations in BC (2010)", referenced as Attachment "A". There are two key trapping programs within a reasonable distance of Abbotsford: (1) the trapping program operated in the Okanagan by the BC Grapegrowers Association; and (2) the trapping program operated in Whatcom County by the Whatcom Farm Friends organization. Both programs offer a glimpse into the potential number of Starlings that could be captured. Whatcom Farm Friends (operating since 1997) Cost is about $30,000 per year contributed by local farmers and the Federal government 50-60 farms participate in program 35-40 traps in current program located in strategic areas Program supported and managed by US Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services One contracted trapper to administer traps in targeted areas. Starlings captured: 2015 16,190 2014 14,272 Captured over 500,000 Starlings since inception of program BC Grapegrowers Association (operating since 2003) Cost is approximately $115,000 per year Program funded by each Regional District in the Okanagan Similkameen, BC Fruit Growers Association, BC Cherry Association, BC Tree Fruits Co-op, and the BC Grapegrowers Association Five trappers contracted to administer traps, in strategic locations throughout the area. Starlings captured: 2015 49,260 2014 71,921 2013 46,899 2012 54,848 2011 78,360 Captured over 650,000 birds since commencement of program; history of program shown on Attachment "B". Control program successes indicated by the BC Grapegrowers Association: Reduction in the use of propane cannons & other birds scaring devices; Reduction in the cost of bird control measures for farmers; Reduction in the amount of bird damage to crops; and Return of native songbirds to the region. Comment from Program Administrator - "the fact that the industry continues to invest in the program speaks to the confidence in the program and its effectiveness". Report No. COR 089 -2015 Page 3 of 4 ---- --·· -~- - ------------=------- Previously, Abbotsford City Council referred the concept of a regional Starling Trapping Program to the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) for its consideration. FVRD staff hosted a discussion on the topic comprising numerous people, including representatives from Metro Vancouver Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Delta, Langley Township, Kent, BC Blueberry Council, BC Dairy Association and Ministry of Agriculture. The general consensus of the meeting was that most jurisdictions, with the exception of Abbotsford, do not seem to have significant problems related to Starlings. Abbotsford continues to be the only jurisdiction that expressed interest in funding a Starling Trapping Program. Eventually, the FVRD determined not to proceed with a regional program. The FVRD staff memo in this regard is Attachment "C" of this report. Staff recommends that the City work together with local farming organizations including BC Blueberry Council, BC Blueberry Growers Association, BC Dairy Association and BC Mink Producers Association in an effort to launch a local Starling Trapping Program. These groups have expressed to staff previously concerns regarding damage to crops or feed and may be interested in such a Starling Trapping Program. Such a program is not likely to reduce the total number of Starlings. However, based on anecdotal evidence it could likely decrease the number of Starlings at certain times of the year thereby potentially reducing crop damage and more importantly potentially reducing the reliance on propane cannons. It is also recommended that, similar to the two programs mentioned in this report, the local organizations implement and manage the program with an expectation to report back to Council on the effectiveness of it. However, staff should remain part of the oversight group as a partner in the program. While the Whatcom program administration is more ad-hoc, the Okanagan program consists of members from BC Grapegrowers' Association, BC Cherry Association, BC Fruit Growers Association, BC Ministry of Agriculture, Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen, and a private grower. FINANCIAL PLAN IMPLICATION The City has allocated one time funding of $30,000 to go towards a Starling Trapping Program. If the program proves successful it is recommended that $30,000 annually be budgeted for such a program. Reviewed and approved by the: Chief Financial Officer Report No. COR 089 -2015 Page 4 of 4 - --··--- --- - - ----------- ----- - ------- - -------------°''------- IMPACTS ON COUNCIL POLICIES, STRATEGIC PLAN AND/OR COUNCIL DIRECTION This proposal helps support, in general, the City's Cornerstone of Vibrant Economy regarding partnerships for innovation and innovative approaches to complement agriculture. SUBSTANTIATION OF RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that Council provide funding of $30,000 to an industry led Starling Trapping Program. Based on the potential success of a program it is recommended that the City consider funding of $30,000, on an annual basis, towards a permanent Starling Trapping Program. Bill Flitton Jak dolpl'l Director, Legislative Services/City Clerk Dep y ~-y Manager Attachment "A": Investigation of Starling Populations in B (2010 Attachment "B": BC Grapegrowers presentation to Region · tricts in the Okanagan (Nov. 2015) Attachment "C": Update on Investigating Interest in a Possible Regional Starling Control Program BC CHERRY ASSOCIATION OKANAGAN SIMILKAMEEN STARLING CONTROL PRO GRAM NOVEMBER, 2015 Funding Each Regional District in the Okanagan Similkameen contributes $25,000 annually to the trapping program. Funding is also received from the BC Fruit Growers’ Association, BC Cherry Association, BC Tree Fruits Co-op and the BC Grapegrowers’ Association. Trapping program costs average $115,000/year. Trapping Trapping is currently carried out by a team of 4 contracted trappers – one in the RDNO, one in the RDCO and two in the RDOS. In the period January 1 – September 30, 2015 a total of 49,260 birds were captured – 12,340 in the RDSO, 13,730 in the RDCO and 23,290 in the RDNO. Starling Control Program Bird Counts 2003 - 2014 Okanagan Central North Totals Similkameen Okanagan Okanagan 2003 15,369 - - 15,369 2004 26,197 7,359 8,878 42,434 2005 22,249 17,686 7,431 47,366 2006 25,206 14,247 1,915 41,368 2007 21,930 10,591 1,510 34,031 2008 18,129 21,471 2,129 41,729 2009 19,336 16,638 17,276 53,250 2010 31,923 20,246 36,121 88,290 2011 27,713 21,366 29,281 78,360 2012 17,637 17,081 20,130 54,848 2013 16,144 13,047 17,708 46,899 2014 23,069 19,339 29,513 71,921 Totals 264,902 179,071 171,892 615,865 Program Management The British Columbia Grapegrowers’ Association has been providing administration & program management since 2006. A management committee made up of representatives from the funding groups oversees the program’s operations. Research A two-year Graduate Student research program carried out at UBC-Okanagan to determine the origins of starlings that make up the Okanagan-Similkameen populations and to better understand the movements & population dynamics locally to evaluate trapping effectiveness was carried out. Results showed that 25% of the birds sampled were from the Kelowna area; 10% from the South Okanagan; 20% from Quesnel and 5% from Grand Forks. About 40% were unaccounted for.