Endangered & Protected Bird species, Birding, & Hunting Season (opens)
in NY state.
Also, in case it's been forgotten, the original post on this subject
mentioned that the loon carcass found at "Tobay Beach" was "apparently
dead from a recent bullet wound to the chest". It is illegal to shoot
Common Loons on or over all U.S. waters or lands. This may have been
an unfortunate accident of hunting, but does bring up that issue as
well.
I happen to have concerns about another group of birds that ARE
legally hunted: grouse. In my opinion many grouse should be fully
protected with no hunting season of any kind in many locations - many
grouse and particularly the 2 grouse species found in New York state
do not seem to be as common as they once were - at least, in NY's
southeast counties in the case of Ruffed Grouse, and never-common-in-
NY Spruce Grouse. There is always a potential problem in having bird
hunting in the same Adirondack areas for Ruffed Grouse, with not all
hunters instantly distinguishing the protected Spruce Grouse from
(much more common) Ruffed.
This also brings up an obvious caution to all of us outdoor folks at
this time of year. Be aware that the fall-winter hunting season is
already here - or soon will be - throughout much of this (& other)
state(s). See: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28605.html & for Long
Island (Suffolk County): http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8373.html &
also: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/40399.html
Ruffed Grouse Hunting Season [NY/ map]:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/29457.html
Ruffed Grouse Hunting Information [page]:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/48393.html
NY State ENDANGERED Spruce Grouse:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7078.html
NYDEC state reg's./endangered species:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/3932.html
NYDEC Loon migration - & tracking info.:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7498.html
Reasons NOT to release fauna & flora:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/53542.html
safe - responsible - educational birding,
Tom Fiore,
Manhattan
<<<
>>>
From: Komar, Nick (CDC/CCID/NCZVED) <nck6 "AT" CDC.GOV>
Subject: [nysbirds-l] Fresh loon carcass Tobay Beach, Suffolk
County, possible Arctic
Date: November 12, 2009 6:20:52 PM EST
To: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu
I apologize for submitting this post to the entire list, but I could
not reach any local birders directly.
This afternoon I found a very fresh loon carcass in excellent
condition, apparently dead from a recent bullet wound to the chest. My
photos (I will post these once I return home to Colorado later
tonight) suggest a possible adult Arctic Loon still exhibiting some
breeding plumage feathers on the throat, wings and back. The bill
seems appropriately sized. The vent strap is incomplete as described
by Sibley and BNA. The mass seemed too heavy but consistent with a
fattened up adult male. I hope a local birder could run down there
tonight and double bag it for donation to an appropriate institution/
collection.
It is located about 50 yards west of the fishing pier/restaurant on
the beach.
Nick Komar
Fort Collins CO
<<<
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