The issue here is how to protect owls from being harassed by unethical and just plain pathetic photographers/birders. Not whether we should chase birds or whether we should report rare birds. So not sure why we got turned in that direction but maybe we can focus back on the main problem. I'm tired of hearing or reading someone saying "it's not fair that we get punished just because of a few bad apples". First of all it's not a few bad apples it's a bunch and the number is growing every year. It's 2012 and most people have a computer, smart phone, and a camera and at 10:30am an owl will be reported and by noon there's a mob of people coming and going and thats when you get your simple minded morons who show up to get an up close and personal shot or view of the owl. You can kick them off the list, you can report they're info on the list serve and you can confront them but the fact is we are not going to be able to defend these birds 24hrs a day and in fact I'm positive that we only observe a small amount of this nonsense. The "serious" birders know this because we have spent a great deal of time out in the field and have seen it first hand way to many times. I have a family, a full time job, and plenty of things to do and when I finally get time to bird watch and enjoy the owls I for one am sick and tired of it being ruined. If people insist on reporting them I liked the suggestion of listing what you saw but leave out the specifics. If you want to see that Snowy Owl at Jones Beach, that Barred Owl in Central Park, or that Long-eared Owl in Pelham Bay put in the foot work and look for it. First of all the Owls not always going to be right where it was last seen, you'll probably sharpen up your birding skills, and most importantly will cut down on some of the traffic and relieve some stress on the birds. By not reporting the owls doesn't mean keep it quiet but keep it off the net. Before birdingonthenet came along we still found owls and word always spread and it's not going to totally solve the problem but it would be a huge help. Besides half of the excitement is getting your hands dirty, freezing your butt off, and finally tracking one down. Thats what bird watching is all about:)
Mark Barriger Wallingford, CT > Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 12:58:02 -0500 > From: james...@optonline.net > Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] ethics, photographers, knee-jerks, op-eds > To: NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu > > Fred speaks well, and, indeed, we need to gather all these thoughts, > and, if nothing else, state clearly and succinctly what the problem > is. To contribute to this, thinking there might be significant legal > aspects to consider, I've placed inquiry with NYSDEC, thinking them > the most likely authority on such subjects. I'll post further of > anything useful that comes from reply. > > > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
