At certain times of the year, great humongous clouds of starlings roost on the girders and struts of two high bridges in Seattle, one the Interstate 5 bridge, and the other, the Aurora Avenue (Highway 99) bridge, both going over the Lake Washington Ship Canal.

Starlet droppings (tons thereof!) are very corrosive and, in time, could seriously damage the supporting structures of the bridges. Setting off loud fireworks worked to the extent that the birds would take to the air and scatter, but after a bit, they would come right back.

Finally, without fanfare, knowing the animal rights folks and bird fanciers would howl their heads off, the powers that be began supplying the starlings with poisoned food. That seemed to get rid of the problem.

That wasn't "killing for fun." Drastic, perhaps, but preferable to finding yourself suddenly looking past your hood ornament as you and dozens of other cars find yourselves heading for Lake Union far below….

Don Firth