Some good experiences and good advice from a birder in Missouri, and she is from the Show Me state!
Mark Alt=20 MOU President mark....@bestbuy.com C/O J. F. Bell Museum of Natural History University of Minnesota 10 Church Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104 MOU.mn.org -----Original Message----- From: Jean Leonatti [mailto:jleona...@cmaaa.net]=20 Sent: Monday, January 03, 2005 4:02 PM To: mark....@bestbuy.com Cc: smithvil...@charter.net Subject: a good experience in Minnesota Mr. Alt - I am one of the Missouri birders who used Mike Hendrickson's guide services Dec. 30 - Jan. 1 to bird the Duluth area, and points north. I have followed some of the discussion regarding the local reaction to birders in the Sax-Zim Bog area and am offering my "two cents worth". First, I really want to commend Mike Hendrickson. We had a GREAT TIME with him. He carefully and calmly explained the situation in Sax-Zim Bog - not over-blowing it or minimizing it; that there were many locals who enjoyed birds and birders, but there were a few who did feel their privacy was being invaded. I think a good guide can go a long way to set the right tone and perspective. He made sure we did not stop at private feeders in the bog, and let us know that ahead of time so there were no false expectations. He said not to worry, we would have chances at feeders elsewhere, so no one in our group got anxious about passing up feeders. We made good use of the public areas, and we didn't miss any birds that we wanted to see. Just one time, we had a local pull up along side our stopped van and shake a finger at us and tell us we shouldn't be stopped on the shoulder. Our driver just smiled and waved and thanked the gentleman, and the gentleman drove on - it is kind of hard to have an argument with someone who is pleasant and who won't argue back! Mike immediately radioed us to find out if everything was OK, and we had no other problems. For our part, we made sure that members of our group knew they were expected to buy something at every place we stopped to use the bathrooms. Even if it was just a candy bar or a cup of coffee, they were to spend money. If we were stopped at a gas station, we made sure to fill up the tanks - even if we were only topping them off. It is so discourteous to track snow/mud across someone's business establishment, use their bathroom, and then leave without compensating them in some way. If enough birders make a point to compensate these businesses, that goes a long way toward creating good feelings toward visitors. Then these business-people who see the local economic impact of birders can become your "advocate" with the locals. Locals talking to locals usually produces better results. But, it all starts with we birders being ABSOLUTELY SURE that we leave a good impression where ever we go. It is an easy enough thing to do - besides that, the birding gods may reward you with a lifer! They certainly did shine down on us. Thanks for sharing your great north woods with us. Jean Leonatti Columbia, Missouri