Posted: Thursday, August 28, 2014 4:15 pm
Posted on Aug 28, 2014
by Josh Taylor
SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. -- Residents in a Venice neighborhood say they've watched a local bird rookery die right before their eyes this past month.
The property is part of a new development called Villages of Milano by Neal Communities. It's located off Jacaranda Boulevard between Laurel and Border roads.
The 700-home project was approved a little more than a month ago. Right after, neighbors say a very big change started to take place to an island rookery there.
All that is left now looks like a pile of dirt.
"It was glorious nature, and it has been destroyed." Venice resident Bob Fuqua is seeing a big change in his neighborhood. "I am here almost every day walking the dog. I always admired the big green mound of vegetation; lots of birds coming and going. It was just a great thing to see."
Video shot by ABC 7 when the development was approved in late July shows green vegetation covering the island.
Just days later, Bob started seeing a difference. “I noticed the vegetation out here was turning brown."
