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City takes aim at urban raven population
Wild Beauty
Residents are complaining By John Cairns
vens. He made clear they are seeking alternatives. “We think it’s unsafe having to do that,” said Patrick, who said they didn’t want to use guns in the city at all. He said they would like to talk about the problem with council at a future meeting, and set up a proper program to deal with the birds. It is too late for this year because the birds have already hatched, but the hope is to have something in place to deal with the ravens for 2021. It was Councillor Kelli Hawtin who raised the issue Monday, seeking a follow up to a similar concern raised by Councillor Kevin Steinborn at a previous meeting.
Staff Reporter
North Battleford city councillors once again voiced concern at their meeting Monday about the issue of ravens in the city. The black birds have been showing up more and more in the city limits, and residents have been voicing numerous complaints that have made their way to council. What’s more, the city’s animal control is running into its own issues dealing with the situation. City Manager Randy Patrick reported they are actually having to resort to using a pellet gun within the city limits to shoot at the ra-
Steinborn said he is still receiving plenty of complaints about the birds showing up in neighbourhoods. It was also noted they were a threat to other wildlife. “I’ve seen them with little baby robins, stuff like that,” said Steinborn. Patrick said the ravens are particularly noticed near restaurants, grocery stores and other large buildings, where they converge on food items dropped on the ground. They also congregate around garbage. It was noted the ravens were particularly noticed back in the days when there were larger open dumpsters situated in the alleys, but those have been replaced by the smaller black carts.
Is it a crow or a raven? According to www. audubon.com, ravens and crows overlap widely throughout North America, and they look similar. But with a few tips, you can tell them apart. Ravens are larger,
and they often travel in pairs, while crows are seen in larger groups. Also, watch the bird’s tail as it flies overhead. The crow’s tail feathers are basically the same length, so when the bird spreads its tail, it opens
like a fan. Ravens have longer middle feathers in their tails, so their tail appears wedge-shaped when open. Listen closely. Crows give a cawing sound. But ravens produce a lower croaking sound.
The wild rose may be Alberta’s flower, but Saskatchewan loves it, too. Finding beauty in nature is a favourite pastime for many during these times of COVID-19. Photo by Louise Lundberg
New McDonalds coming to 100th Street in NB By John Cairns Staff Reporter
The City of North Battleford has confirmed they are preparing for a new McDonalds restaurant location coming to 100th Street.
The news comes after the city announced work was commencing at the 100th Street intersection by A&W. The city reported a partial closure and limited access at that location, due to the installation of a turning lane and approach
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for a new McDonalds. The work is expected to take place from July 20 to Aug. 7 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Officials from McDonalds were contacted but had no comment by press time.
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