Re: [nysbirds-l] Knee jerk reaction to 2 guys that just didn't get it

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:49:24 -0800

Hats off to Cindy, very well said.  Also to others on here that have pointed out that it is not just photographers but birders too that exhibit inappropriate behavior.  To say lets just not post on here any species worthwhile, to me is just undermining what this is suppose to be about.  This is suppose to be a community of interested people in birding.  You have to subscribe to get these emails.  Therefore who gets these emails is known.  If a member of this community is going to abuse the privilege of this knowledge, then simply document the occurrence to leaders or organizer of this list.  If found to be valid and the behavior is repeated, simply kicked them off the list.  Don't punish everyone because of the arrogant inconsiderate ones.  There are ways this can be handled to minimize those that don't get it.  If you observe someone behaving inappropriate communicate with them considerately.  If you just stand by and watch it and just complain, then your as big a part of the problem.  Some people are just ignorant.  Once you explain the birding ethics, many people then get it.  For those that don't, report them appropriately and it becomes their loss going forward.

I personally don't have days and days of time to go out and find some of these species on my own.  Do I go out and look on my own several times a year yes.  But I will drive several hours with hope of the opportunity to see something unique and / or rare that I have learned on this list, yes too.  That does not make me lazy or a bad person.  There are no guarantees.  The bird might not be there when I get there or just simply may be out of reach or in hiding that day.  Oh well, that is part of the adventure. 

Just my opinion.

Greg
-----Original Message-----
From: Cindy
Sent: Feb 6, 2012 9:14 AM
To: NYS Birds
Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Knee jerk reaction to 2 guys that just didn't get it

To echo Janet's post and in response to Stella's - I too have seen photographers being insensitive to snowy owls, on other ocassions. I remember one time there was a fantastic photo op for one particular owl at Jones Beach a few years ago.... I even took one of my kids out of school so he could see this beautiful bird. (there were actually TWO owls at the beach that day! We saw both of them!). The first, "poster bird" was sitting on a dune, with at least a half dozen photographers snapping away at a distance of about 15 feet. Maybe not even that. Unbelievable but true. The second bird was more skittish and was sitting by itself, closer to the beach. However, as my son and I were watching it, a jogger running along the beach passed it too closely (not seeing the bird) and the owl flushed, flying overhead and away. You just can't win!

I disagree, however, that owls should not be mentioned on these birding listservs. I would think that's just the beginning of a slippery slope....first owls are kept secret, then perhaps a first-of-state nesting, or other rare bird.... who's to say an inconsiderate photographer, or birder (yes, those exist as well, I had the experience of one in my own back yard!), will get close enough to ANY noteworthy bird to shoo it off and ruin the experience for everyone else (not to mention stressing the bird!)?

Keeping sightings limited to "word of mouth" severely restricts who sees what, turning birding (or the viewing of certain species) into a private club of sorts - with only the elite "inner circle" allowed to participate. I for one don't go birding regularly in winter, preferring to just go out for rarities, and am not in anyone's cell phone contact list. I usually don't like birding in a crowd. I know a few "key" people but nobody really well. Word of mouth wouldn't work for me and wouldn't work for many other respectable, but more casual birders who might come from out of the area just to see an owl, or any other noteworthy bird. 

There's no way to completely eliminate the problem. There will be clueless joggers, dogs and their owners, and kids flushing the birds in addition to the photographers and selfish birders who show up. You can't put a fence around these birds. I believe that by posting photos or names (or even license plates) of the perpetrators, they will eventually learn that it's not worth their while to do what they're doing. Or they won't care and the occasional bird may suffer an uncomfortable moment or two. I still think that's better than a whole lot of decent, good folks losing out on something really special. 

have a great day!
Cindy Wodinsky
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