[obol] I would like to say...

From: "Paul Sullivan" <paultsullivan@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 05:54:50 -0800
OBOL:

Perhaps I shouldn't go here... but I would just like to say what I think.

Has the Burrowing Owl thread run its course -- again?  I hope so.  The
Persistent Voice has made his case.  We've heard you.  'Nuff said already.

I would like to say:
If you see a Burrowing Owl (or a rare duck) PLEASE REPORT it on OBOL.  GIVE
DIRECTIONS.  That is what OBOL is for, for birders to share sightings so
that other birders can go --  and see -- and enjoy notable birds.  
To self-censor and not report sightings defeats the purpose of OBOL.  
To "fuzzify" the location of a sighting defeats the purpose of OBOL.  It
also skews the record of what has been seen and where.
To hold back sightings is to make a judgment.  A judgment that some
observers (you) are worthy of knowing about a bird, and other potential
observers (they) are unworthy.  Who appointed you to that position?  
Please share.
Of course, if the bird is on private property, get the OK from the
landowner/resident before posting.

If you have never seen a Burrowing Owl, go see one.  They are cute little
birds.  Spend a little time enjoying one.  Keep a respectful distance (maybe
15 yds) and view it with optics.  Stay in your car if it's out on a rural
road.  You don't need a full-frame photo with a cell phone to enjoy the
bird.  If you want a good photo, there are plenty on the web and on
calendars.  

It falls on each observer (not the original reporter) to police
himself/herself around rare birds.  If you see bad behavior in the field,
speak to the person on site, at the time.  Please don't post the ABA code of
ethics -- again -- to this list and start another thread of scolds  coming
from people who weren't there.  Please.

Like Lillian said (see below), be an ambassador for birds with the folks you
meet.  Share your enthusiasm with them.  Birds bring joy to our lives, we
can share that with others and inform them.

Don's note below makes me think he was at Eagle Creek above Bonneville Dam
in far eastern Multnomah county.  That's where you're likely to see that
constellation of ducks.

Enjoy the birds -- and share what you see.

Good birding, everyone,

Paul Sullivan

P.S.  If rare birds are scrubbed from OBOL, it becomes a list of ordinary
birds and a place for long discussions among a few people about contentions
topics.  Who wants that?
------------------------------
Subject: Interesting Ducks
Date: Mon Dec 29 2014 1:09 am
From: ac7zg AT frontier.com 
Three Harlequin Ducks, Single Male Barrow's Goldeneye, Seven Common

Goldeneye, and five Common Mergansers.

With so much angst about posting owl and rare ducks, we will just call this

Multnomah County.  No scope needed. Seen yesterday in very heavy rain.

Don
----------------------
Subject: Burrowing Owl harassment at Yaquina Head...
Date: Sat Dec 27 2014 19:05 pm
From: lillian.e AT prodigy.net 
Hello Birders,

...

There are several points I am hoping to make with this account...

1 - I hope that places like OBOL will continue to share interesting
sightings. My husband and I have been able to see several Snowy Owls in the
last few years, also an eastern Blue Jay, the Brown Booby, and now this
little Burrowing Owl. If you folks stop sharing where to see these
interesting visitors some of us won't get to see them...

2 - When we are birding out in the field it is a wonderful time to be
"Birding Ambassadors". We have a chance to share with and educate the people
around us about the birds that we are viewing and how our behavior affects
them. Often times folks are already interested in birds/wildlife/nature,
they are there on location, but they don't know very much about the world
around them. If we take the opportunity to talk with them we can teach them
what we know and maybe learn something interesting from them too.

3 - Even if the location of "special bird visitors" isn't listed online
there is always the possibility that passersby will see birders looking at
something in a scope and get curious... We don't want to stop using our
scopes just because some ignorant, thoughtless, or whatever type person
might happen to see us and cause trouble...

So, I am asking you to please not share less, but instead to share more by
taking an active role in reaching out to the people around you when you are
in the field birding... and maybe when there is a special bird report to
include a few birding hints/advice that will help all of us remember to be
careful and courteous when viewing our Feathered Friends...
..

Ok... now I am off my soapbox. Thank you for your patience.

Lillian



OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol
Manage your account or unsubscribe: //www.freelists.org/list/obol
Contact moderators: obol-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[obol] I would like to say...

Other related posts:
