I had an interesting experience at the Cawthra Mulock reserve in Newmarket this morning. Coming down the trail to where the pond is, I heard the call of a Red-headed Woodpecker. This hard-to-find species was actually observed by Allan Roitner at a different location in Newmarket this past Wednesday, so I was immediately on the alert. (NOTE: I did not post the RHWP sighting for reasons you will understand after reading the rest of this post.) I followed the sound of the woodpecker to its source and found a photographer in a camouflage blind. He was playing tapes of different birds in hopes of luring them in. He was impressed that I knew my birds by ear. I was not impressed that he was playing tapes. This, it turns out, is the same photographer who spent two days earlier this week in a blind parked in the middle of an open field not more than 7 meters from an active bluebird box - the only active bluebird box we have ever had at the reserve. He insisted that he was not stressing the bluebirds. I did not feel the same way. Since Ontbirds is a not a forum for discussion but for the reporting of interesting birds, I will not say much more here, but this situation brings up some very important questions: At which point does passive use of a nature reserve cross over into the realm of intrusive use? What are the rights of other hikers and birders when a photographer interferes with their birding or enjoyment of a local patch? What are the rights of photographers themselves? I'd be lying if I said I didn't admire the marvellous photos that have been so generously shared by our many great nature photographers in Ontario. The most important question of all, however, is this one: What are the rights of the birds we see, watch, and photograph AND who protects them? I am well aware that many nature photographers are also environmentalists and top-notch naturalists. I feel partly responsible for this situation at the reserve because I mentioned the bluebirds in an Ontbirds post last week. Too late, I realize that mentioning them may have compromised their situation. I wrongly accused another photographer of being the bluebird stalker (privately, but still hurtfully, I imagine) so there is a little more guilt to throw on the fire. Anyway, 'nuff said, but if anyone wants to comment, e-mail me privately NOT here on Ontbirds. Back to my bird sightings... When I wandered away from the blind, I soon heard a Chestnut-sided Warbler. I thought it was probably the tapes being played again. Turns out, it was not. The warbler flew onto an open branch and gave me my earliest-ever Chestnut-sided. Minutes later I had a Blue-headed Vireo, also my earliest. This unseasonably warm April has made for some very early arrivals of certain species. I also had Pine Warbler and many Chipping Sparrows (a great way to compare their songs is to find a place where you can stand between both species). There are at least two Brown Thrashers and all sorts of Field Sparrows at the reserve and, still intact, the pair of Eastern Bluebirds. As I watched the male over the course of 15 minutes (I was hidden behind a tree well away from the nesting box), he spent the whole time chasing off several Tree Swallows and a pair of BH Cowbirds. As the photographer suggested, these latter birds are more of a threat to the bluebirds than he is... Ron Fleming, Newmarket _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
