Here is an interesting email I received from Dan Metz, president of Coot & Goose Busters.

12-16-11

Hi Tom

I wanted to update you on the recent massive Coot and Bird influx into the Country Clubs of our desert.

This year has seen the most birds that I have encountered in the past 4 years. I have had calls from 6 clubs in the past week of December 10th to the 16th. Clubs this year seem desperate for bird service.

I now provide service to the following clubs in the valley this season.

The Indian Canyons Resort, 2 courses, Mission Hills 3 courses, Sunrise Country Club, Desert Falls C/C,

Indian Ridge, Toscana, The Classic Club, Shadow Hills Club, The Citrus Club, Lago La Quinta,

Desert Princess, The Club at Morningside, Heritage Palms, Mission Shores, Indian Wells C/C,

The Reserve Club, Andulusia, Rancho La Quinta,, Silverrock, Desert Horizon C/C.

I have also been contacted by many clubs the past two weeks on the Central Coast from El Rio, Hollister, Ventura, Simi Valley, Orange County, and San Diego Country. All of whom have seen a massive influx of Coots, Geese, Mergansers, PinTails, Canvasbacks, and Mallards. Some of these clubs reported to me that last year where they had 40-60 birds they now they have over 3000. Amazing numbers indeed.

In fact LAX has reported a record number of Coot Bird Strikes with Aircraft in the past month and a half. It is as if the Western Bird Flyway has shifted to the West. I think that the early snow in Seattle coupled with the west coast being under a persistent North South Jet Stream has brought these birds south. It has also been very cold in the Hawthorne, Minden and Topaz lake area on the Eastern Sierra pushing these birds toward the west and south.

This year I have shifted methods to include spraying of my specially developed non toxic spray on all fairways on your course that are infected with Coots. I plan to continue this daily to push these birds into non playing areas. I am trying my best.

Most Sincerely

Daniel Metz
Owner Coot N Goosebusters