Note:- I am posting the following with the permission of Mark Cranford the Ontbirds Coordinator.
On a visit to the Ravenshoe Rd / Yonge St. area north of Toronto recently I encountered a ploughed up snow road block half way down Yonge St. When talking to some gentlemen (Owl Banders) there I was informed that the road block was put up (legally or not) because of some people and some people in cars that were trespassing on the dikes looking for / getting closer to or chasing Snowy Owls. (Driving around this block is having to trespass) They also told me that local land owners said that they put up with the casual owl viewing but it seems to be getting out of hand with some cars blocking Ravenshoe Rd and Yonge St. making it harder for the trucks and farm vehicles that go to and from the produce warehouses as well as the local residents getting to and from their homes and because of the frequent trespassing of some people trying to get closer to the owls in order to get close photos. I myself have seen several men and women walking far out on the dikes, even the ones with NO TRESPASSING signs very visible on and at the beginning of the dike, most, if not all with large lens cameras and I have also seen a car out on a dike with the driver and friends standing in front of it taking photos of a Snowy Owl that they also proceeded to flush. The same gentlemen above (the banders) also informed me that one woman in her car got stuck on the dike at the end of Yonge St. and had to be rescued by a tow truck this season already. None of this is acceptable behaviour by photographers or birders and it can only lead to problems from residents in the future and problems (already) for the owls and of course could and should lead to charges of trespassing and fines. All of the land along both sides of Ravenshoe Rd and Yonge St. west of Leslie St. is PRIVATE PROPERTY and should be treated as such. Don’t ruin it for others and possible have it lead to the farmers shooing the owls away from their fields which in many cases could lead to the death of some of these great birds. They are there because of the food and rest available, don’t take this from them Norm Murr Richmond Hill Ontario, Canada You can't see birds if you don't go out but sit and wait for others to find them. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
