Sunday, May 15, 2016

Are the Ducks Unhappy with Habitat Changes at Barnard Street Duck Pond Park?

Ribbon Cutting at Barnard Street Duck Pond Park
The newly contructed gazebo at Barnard Street Duck Pond Park allows humans the opportunity to observe, in relative comfort, the wildlife, including ducks that are known to frequent the area.  Nicely crafted wooden benches provide seating, while wooden railing ensures safety, for those on the observing deck.

Perhaps forgotten in all the construction work done by the City of Brownsville, orchestrated by the Brownsville Beautification Committee, are the ducks and other creatures known to populate the area.

That is the subject of a Letter to the Editor of the Brownsville Herald from Irma Barrientes Sherman.  Mrs. Sherman feels that the "numerous animals making there home there" are now leaving the resaca in search of a more favorable habitat.

Sherman states:  "As I was driving by the area one recent morning, I noticed a few ducks wandering aimlessly along the streets.  It seems as though the ducks were looking for a safe place to sit and rest."

Unhappy Ducks?
Mrs. Sherman continues:  "I do know that the birds have been venturing farther away from the water than before.  In fact, one day my husband had to remove a nest hidden on our home's roof more than a block away from this resaca.  This duck in question must have felt very comfortable about this newfound safe haven because it keeps coming back every day."

We make no claim of understanding duck psyche, but, nevertheless, find that Mrs. Sherman provides a different perspective.  Obviously, Joe Lee Rubio and the beautification committee did a lot of fine work at the resaca.  Hopefully, the ducks will adjust.

Mrs. Sherman ends her letter with a suggestion that the city "prioritize their projects" with more focus on the multitudes of pot holes in the city or, as she states, "get one's ducks in a row."  

12 comments:

  1. Poor ducks, it is a shame the ducks feel displaced. That area was their home. As beautiful and as well intended the observation deck on Barnard Street is, as Mrs. Sherman points out, I agree with her the money could have had been better spent on fixing the many potholes we have in our beautiful Brownsville.

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  2. Actually, Jim, we have few complaints. Joe Lee Rubio and his crew treated us respectfully, didn't throw their beer cans or cigarette butts at us and tried to stay out of our way. Actually, the gazebo is ok. It does kind of obstruct our view of the street, though. We used to enjoy floating in the resaca, while watching the crazy drivers on Barnard Street.

    I guess what upsets me the most is not being consulted. After all, this is supposed to be a duck pond, but no one asks us ducks what we want.

    A Concerned Mallard

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  3. Just to make it plain. I appreciate what the city is trying to do and have no intention of starting an inter-species war.

    Mallard

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    Replies
    1. Those fucking ducks are toast!

      Gator

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  4. Just to be clear though, one of the crew did throw used joints into the resaca. Those are fine. If a certain someone, he knows who he is, can leave us some more joints that'd be a-ok!

    Mallard

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    Replies
    1. Don't pretend to be me, Duardo, or I will kick you ass next time you sleep overnight at the gazebo.

      Mallard

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    2. We both know you're a limp wristed pussy behind a computer screen.

      Da Real Mallard

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  5. Being a duck of sorts, one of those nasty black ones, I don't like waddling on thet crushed granite. It gets into my webs and causes me pain. Silly people. I think I will just poop all over those decks and benches.

    Just call me MASCOVEY the POOPER!

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    Replies
    1. Bird poop is betty valuble.

      MEXY the SCOOPER!

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  6. Bike lanes, observation decks?? How about some bus shelters and sidewalks? Brownsville is the place where if you want to walk to the store, you have to either walk in the grass or walk in a lane of traffic. I'm sure we have all seen the elderly on their scooters having to use the outside lane of traffic because the City prioritizes buying over priced buildings, and making dedicated bike lanes that are never used. Certainly we have all seen the cash paid "sirvientas" of the elite from the neighborhoods surrounding Palm Boulevard pushing $600 strollers in the traffic lane because of the lack sidewalks. Priorities.

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    Replies
    1. Dude, lack of sidewalks comes from the lack of brains which comes from the lack of good breeding which comes from the lack of available beauties. Go back to Austin!

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  7. I live a block away from the resaca (or pond, if you believe the City). Ask the people that live in the neighborhood, and they will tell you that the ducks have been displaced. They have migrated to the lawns of the homes in the surrounding area. That, itself, is not a problem, except that several of the ducks have been mauled by dogs in the area and/or hit by cars as they cross the streets in the surrounding neighborhood. The duck population is shrinking. Perhaps the City should have paid someone to determine what would be best for the ducks. Or perhaps, the City can just change the name of the project to the "Barnard Street (Road?) People Pond" instead of the Duck Pond. At least the name "People Pond" would better represent who the project is meant to benefit.
    The only upside here is that the area will soon fall into disrepair and the City will not lift a finger to maintain it. Once the weeds and grass overtake the area, the ducks should return to their home.

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