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Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 1, 2016 3A
Peacocks head out on the highway
By Lukas Eggen
The Itemizer-Observer
MONMOUTH — The
peafowl population may be
spreading its wings.
Peacocks have long taken
up residence in Monmouth
in and around Sacre Lane.
On Thursday, they ap-
peared to expand their hori-
zons, wandering near Dutch
Bros. and crossing Main
Street to the Burgerville
parking lot.
“We are surprised that
some of the ‘herd’ is moving
so far beyond their normal
range,” City Manager Scott
McClure said. “They nor-
mally don’t get anywhere
near Highway 99 or Main
Street.”
McClure said they haven’t
received calls concerning
peacocks lately, though he
did hear of a report a pea-
cock stopping traffic on
Highway 99 near J’s as a citi-
zen tried to move it off the
road.
The peacock sightings
may just be an adventurous
few, but they could also be a
sign of an increasing popu-
lation according to the Ore-
gon Department of Fish and
Wildlife.
“They could be having
offspring and people are
seeing the effects of that,”
Rick Boatner, invasive
species coordinator, said.
The peacock problem has
been a longstanding issue in
Monmouth.
As recently as 2014, the
issue of peacocks was
brought before the city
LISA CATTO/ for the Itemizer-Observer
Peacocks made their way toward Burgerville on Thursday morning, crossing Highway 99W and Main Street.
council, and in particlar the
noise the peacocks make,
when a citizen said the
peafowl had been living in
Sacre Lane since at least
1997.
Residents may have a love
’em or hate ’em relationship
with peacocks, but no mat-
ter how you feel, trying to in-
teract with them is a bad
idea.
“The simplest protocol
that people should follow is
to just leave the peacocks
alone,” McClure said. “They
can take care of themselves.
Trying to handle, or help, a
peacock could result in an
injury.”
Peacocks are not consid-
ered wildlife by the ODFW’s
definition, Boatner said.
But while they may be a
beautiful sight to behold, he
too, said leaving them be is
the best way to keep them
safe.
“Certainly don’t feed any
feral population,” Boatner
said. “It only encourages
them.”
WEATHER
RECORDED
HIGH LOW
May 24.............. 72
May 25.............. 67
May 26.............. 64
May 27.............. 65
May 28.............. 74
May 29.............. 72
May 30.............. 78
51
54
51
47
41
51
47
RAIN
.00
.00
.00
.00
.00
.00
.00
Rainfall during May — 1.17 in.
Rain through May 30 — 20.30 in.
LISA CATTO/ for the Itemizer-Observer
LISA CATTO/ for the Itemizer-Observer
Peacocks venturing to new places could be a sign of increased population.
Volunteers needed
for welcome booth
Itemizer-Observer staff report
POLK COUNTY — The
Polk Soil and Water Conser-
vation District has been a fa-
miliar sight at the entrance
tent at the Polk County Fair.
This year, there will be
something new to greet fair-
goers — a mascot.
Sammy Soil, a soil parti-
cle, will be there to say hello
along with volunteers run-
ning the passport and other
interactive activities at the
welcome booth.
Volunteers are needed to
help run the booth and to
don the mascot costume.
The group’s goals include
promotion of district pro-
grams and projects to help
people learn about the
services they provide; pro-
vide educational activities
and information everyone
and help to promote the
local groups and events at
the fair that receive less
traffic.
The Polk County Fair will
be Aug. 11-13.
For more information:
Sawyer Finegan, sawyer.fine-
gan@polkswcd.com.
Peacocks were spotted near Highway 99W and Main
Street on Thursday morning.
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■
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COURTESY OF US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE/ Itemizer-Observer
Sammy Soil will be at the Polk County Fair this year.
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