Resident: Home Improvement Store No Home to Swallows *Updated*

This just in ...

I am writing to ask for the community's support for our wonderful Cliff Swallows and to voice dissatisfaction with Lowes San Clemente's action against them. As you know, the swallows do not return to the Mission anymore because of past retrofitting, destruction of their nests, and inadequate amounts of water and mud to build. They have found other places in our area to construct their colonies and fewer are making the incredible 7,500-mile journey from Goya, Argentina.

Last year I was very impressed to see the large swallow colony under the eves at Lowes San Clemente. I thought it was wonderful that Lowes embraced our beautiful migrating birds that chose their store for their nests. What could be better? Birds building homes at at home building store!

You can imagine my horror when I went to Lowes this weekend and saw that all the nests had been destroyed and chicken wire stretched across the eves to prevent the birds from re-building. As the hundreds of swallows circled the roof trying to find a way back to their nests my heart sank. I contacted the assistant manager and he confirmed that the nests had been knocked down and the wire installed to prevent further nesting.

Apparently some customers had complained about the droppings at the front entrance.

The store manager, Marilyn Jensen, explained to me that the amount of complaints against the birds last year prompted her to remove the nests.

I think it would be in Lowe's best interest to work WITH the swallows and the community. Surely a building supply store could come up with a creative way of constructing a barrier between the birds and the pavement below.

I am the artist who creates the annual “Return of the Swallows” design each year for Mission San Juan Capistrano. At the event each year I am asked where the swallows are. I explain the circumstances surrounding their need to find breeding areas away from the Mission and actually suggested they go to Lowes to see a wonderful swallow colony in action. Tragically this has now been destroyed.

These little birds come so far every year to breed in our beautiful area. Lowes should be respectful of the swallows' long journey and be honored the birds chose their store to build their California homes.

Kimberleigh Gavin, San Juan Capistrano

UPDATE:

Lowe's representatives said the nests were taken down in December, which is OK under the law. See a news story at www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Comments

[Don Tryon]

HOORAY for Kimberleigh. We need more like her.
Without her help we may have to re-write the song about our swallows and call it "When the crows come back to Capistrano"

[Joan]

My heart breaks regarding the news about the Cliff Swallows nests being destroyed. I am a Wa. resident waiting for the retirement day very soon to come and live in San Clemente.

Since I was a young girl I remember the lovely swallows being at the mission in SJC. I was counting the months til I could come back and see them again.

PLEASE somebody HELP to see that the swallows will not desert our beautiful town and go somewhere else!

[Dwaine Goodwin]

Have sent Lowe's corporate a definitive e-mail on the actions of their store manger and my and my company's decision to cease using Lowe's as a source of materials until such time as they prove their community worthiness. Destruction of a migrating fowl's habit may well be a violation of state or federal regulations. It is a citeable action in San Juan Capistrano by my understanding.

I would hope there is just such an ordinance in San Clemente if not in California.

[Dwaine Goodwin]

Added commentary for the Lowe's Swallows:

"The California Department of Fish and Game, the enforcement agency, considers February 15 to September 1 to be the swallow nesting season. Nests during this breeding season cannot be touched without a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."

There are additional requirements and codicils to the code but the essential information is contained above. This was enacted from the Migratory Bird Act of 1918 which protects migratory insectivorous birds and as such all swallows are protected under this act. As a result certain activities, such as nest destruction, are subject to legal restrictions.

Just perhaps someone may wish to inform the Lowe's manager of their exposure to legal reprecussions.

[dunk]

thanks to Kimberly,

I was unaware of this colony down at Lowe's. Rest assured, I won't be shopping there until some changes are made- AND QUICKLY. Unbelievable ignorance, all because of a few droppings- give them panchos. Coming up all the way from from Argentina , and then this "enabled" society just moves forward with chicken wire- think first before acting like neanderthal - for once.