I agree that my position is unfortunate and inconvenient for many. But posts on this list have a major impact. For example, I was out at Breezy Point on Saturday. There were few birders and only one photographer when I was there, and the owls were left in peace. Then, a post on NYSBirds, and, well, we have seen the result on Sunday. I do NOT mean to single out the person who posted, just to point out the consequences of the Listserv in situations such as this. If someone wants to see a Snowy Owl they will still have opportunities, though perhaps requiring more effort. I know this is disadvantageous to many, but our responsibility is to the birds and their habitat first. So to all, if you are not "in the loop", get out and look. Talk to other birders. That's how you get in the loop.
Seth On Feb 6, 2012, at 11:00 AM, Robert Lewis wrote: > As a long-time resident and birder of New York state (more than 30 years) I > agree with Cindy. > > We must not fall into any extremist position. > > It would be beyond a shame to go back to the old "word of mouth" system, when > only a self-appointed elite knew about rarities. > > Respond appropriately to situations as they arise. No knee-jerk reactions. > That is the middle path. > > Bob Lewis > Sleepy Hollow NY > > > > > > --- On Mon, 2/6/12, Cindy <[email protected]> wrote: > > From: Cindy <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Knee jerk reaction to 2 guys that just didn't get it > To: "NYS Birds" <[email protected]> > Date: Monday, February 6, 2012, 9:14 AM > > .... > > 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 > -- > NYSbirds-L List Info: > Welcome and Basics > Rules and Information > Subscribe, Configuration and Leave > Archives: > The Mail Archive > Surfbirds > BirdingOnThe.Net > Please submit your observations to eBird! > -- > ... > -- > NYSbirds-L List Info: > Welcome and Basics > Rules and Information > Subscribe, Configuration and Leave > Archives: > The Mail Archive > Surfbirds > BirdingOnThe.Net > Please submit your observations to eBird! > -- Seth Ausubel Forest Hills, NY -- 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/[email protected]/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/ --
