FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Whooping Cranes have bad experience

[Wallace Coffey <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>]

TN-Birders:

The eight Whooping Cranes which lingered in Macon County, NC not far from
the Tennessee border "suffered some behavior corruption" during the past two
days, according to a person on the scene.

In some cases birders created problems by trying to get too close to the
birds.  One birder was confronted for being too close in the area while
attempting to take photos.  A South Carolina birder said he probably got too
close when he  photographed the birds.

One local  person tried to wade across the river to capture one of the birds.

When an official confronted a local individual about going too close to the
birds, the resident agreed to cooperate with the project.  But he returned
and drove his car containing his wife and three children right up to the
cranes, then all got out and approached to within a few feet of the birds.
Although this was horrifying, it was finally enough to flush the birds. One
bird hit a powerline while attempting to
escape but stayed airborne and later rejoined the other birds as they left
the area just before dark.

I know that it must sound like overkill to beg everyone (birders included)
to not go into the habitat and not to approach the birds.  Even birders
don't always behave like many would hope.

Drastic actions will have to be taken in the near future to prevent further
problems.

What a mess!  

Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN


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