Kinglets dying in burrs - TTP today

[nana]

A friend spent a few hours today rescuing Kinglets caught in the burrs in the Wet Woods 'bowl'. 1 was dead, two were taken to the Humane Society vet to get the burrs removed and then released back in the woods, feisty and fine. Another was rescued right after the release of the other two and is being kept overnight and taken to the TWC in the morning. My friend cut down  the burr plants inside the Bowl before heading home at dark. 4 entangled birds in less than an hour is 4 too many. Please take clippers in your pocket to cut down these awful plants if you come across them while you are walking, or just break the stems over to the ground. Keep an eye peeled for trapped tiny birds. They can be put into a brown paper bag and taken to TWC or you can call FLAP.

And as I was about to press 'submit' I had an email  that another friend rescued a magnolia in burrs out TTP this evening as well.

[mr.sharp-photo]

A friend spent a few hours today rescuing Kinglets caught in the burrs in the Wet Woods 'bowl'. 1 was dead, two were taken to the Humane Society vet to get the burrs removed and then released back in the woods, feisty and fine. Another was rescued right after the release of the other two and is being kept overnight and taken to the TWC in the morning. My friend cut down  the burr plants inside the Bowl before heading home at dark. 4 entangled birds in less than an hour is 4 too many. Please take clippers in your pocket to cut down these awful plants if you come across them while you are walking, or just break the stems over to the ground. Keep an eye peeled for trapped tiny birds. They can be put into a brown paper bag and taken to TWC or you can call FLAP.

And as I was about to press 'submit' I had an email  that another friend rescued a magnolia in burrs out TTP this evening as well.

aren't they native to Toronto? don't they have a purpose?
and maybe post a picture of the burrs.

[Kris Ito]

No. Common Burdock is an invasive species from Europe.  :evil:

[Kris Ito]

This photo may be hard to look at but it illustrates the brutality of these burrs. Obviously this little Magnolia was far beyond my help today, but it brings the total deaths to 3 (the kinglet kept overnight did not survive), with another 3 birds surviving their timely rescue. I managed to fill two leaf bags with burrs today but there are still so many more out there.  

[Dinusaur]

Oh, so sad. I had no idea about this plant; thanks for educating us.

[Rotarran]

Thanks for the heads up, I'll check for this next time I'm out.

If it's not the tall buildings, it's the burrs.  As if the migration journeys aren't hard enough.  Sheesh

[mr.sharp-photo]

No. Common Burdock is an invasive species from Europe.  :evil:

are those the burrs that stick to your shoes and pants and shirts when you walk through the bush? i'm just trying to think of what these look like and how many are up high

[BetCrooks]

Yes, they're the regular burrs that dogs get in their coats and people get everywhere. Unfortunately, small birds like Kinglets perch on the tops of goldenrod and small bushes and sooner or later, burr plants. Their wings get tangled and the more they flap, the more they get snared. They shred their mouths to ribbons trying to pull the burrs off and they die slowly. It's quite horrible to see. (I had one die in my hands as I tried to rescue it out here in Miss'a last year.)

[Flyingbass]

Common Burdock is a problem at Downsview as well (although i have never seen any evidence of bird fatality because of it).   Staff at Downsview have put a lot of effort into removing burdock, especially since it's very large leaves shade out many native plants. Managing invasives (burdock isn't even the worst) is a massive undertaking so any help is very much appreciated.  

The good news is that burdock is biannual, if you are able to remove the seed pods (burrs) you can be a big deterrent to it reestablishing is self.  Removing burrs and throwing out in a sealed bag is the best and easiest way to help out.

[Kris Ito]

The high winds this weekend have claimed at least two more victims. I found these Golden-crowned Kinglets in the Wet Woods yesterday. There is a movement afoot to rally support for a clean-up effort, with possible support from official organizations. Stand by for a call to action!

[Falconstare]

It's a pity.