Since 2003, almost 500,000 starlings have been culled in the Okanagan. About 80,000 were killed last year alone as part of a valley wide program.
Now district officials across the Okanagan seem poised to continue funding the fight against an invasive species that costs growers millions every year.
“It’s appropriate for the public to put in some money in this. It’s not just a farming issue. It’s an issue for all residents in the valley,” said Allan Patton, Rural Oliver area director.
The starling control program costs about $115,000 a year, with all three regional districts and growers pitching in.
Four bird trappers are hired to catch and cull with traps in landfills, vineyards and orchards.
The culled birds aren’t put to waste as many are often used as feed at the South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls.
European starlings were introduced in North America in the 1890s and have since spread across the continent.
A study shows about 20% of sampled starlings in the South Okanagan originated from Quesnel, which is almost 800 kilometers away. They are an invasive bird species that also lay eggs in other species’ nest.
Starlings usually fly in flocks, sometimes in the thousands, and have been known to destroy crops in a matter of minutes. While the population will likely never be wiped out, growers say the best they can do is limit their impact.
“The program is an ongoing program. We’ll never eradicate the starling that’s not the goal of the program,” said orchardist Greg Norton. “What we’re trying to do is keep those populations to a manageable level so the economic impact is lessened.
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