Hi everyone, I’d like to bring everyone’s attention to a recent situation that occurred at Tamarack Nature Center. A Northern Saw-whet Owl was found and listed on eBird, which brought the usual admirers. This included myself, and I was especially thrilled because it was a lifer for me. While there, I was told of an incident that happened a few days earlier. A large number of cut limbs were found on the ground from the tree the owl had been favoring (and is no longer). We assumed this was so that someone could get unobstructed photos of the owl. I’ve spoken with the people at the nature center and they have discussed this at their management meeting. They sent me the Ramsey country ordinances to share, which are below.
“SECTION B – DISTURBANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES It shall be unlawful for any person to: 1. Intentionally remove, alter, injure or destroy any natural resource without written authorization from the Director; 2. Dig trenches, holes or other excavation in a park without written authorization from the Director; 3. Plant or cultivate any plant, or release any animal into a park without written authorization from the Director; or 4. Remove any device, apparatus or material installed for the protection, support or preservation of any tree, shrub or plant. SECTION C – DISTURBANCE OF WILDLIFE It shall be unlawful for any person to: 1. Kill, trap, hunt, pursue, or in any manner disturb or cause to be disturbed, or have in possession any species of wildlife found within the confines of any park” Beyond the unlawfulness of this, we all know this directly goes against the code of birding ethics. I too love taking photos, but in the past year I have decided to no longer share photos to public birding or photography groups because I feel this encourages escalating harm to the birds in the pursuit of social acclaim. And although I myself found it by following an exact pin drop, another way to help reduce harm is to only list a general location. If you have previously listed an exact spot for a semi-sensitive bird, you may want to edit your observation in order to make the location more vague. I understand the argument for not even using eBird, but there are both scientific and communal arguments for listing. I’m sorry to pass this on, but I thought people should know. I want to also thank the individual who shared the photos of the cut limbs. Nina *Personal email address of* Nina Hale m: 612-805-2071 ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
