[obol] Re: Appropriate (or inappropriate) use of playback
- From: Tim Rodenkirk <timrodenkirk@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: chucklthomas@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2015 14:26:32 -0700
Charles,
Too bad you didn't just call up Barb Griffin as I suggested on OBOL more
than once (complete with phone number, 541-756-5688). She loves visitors
and can give instructions to her place. The bird is being seen between her
proprerty and an adjacent neighbors. Best spot is in the back of the
neighbors driveway which can be easily accessed if you talk to Barb, she
will take you right to the best spot to see the bird. The neighbors are OK
with visitors also, especially if Barb is with them. Barb is retired and
spends a lot of time at home and will arrrange to hang close for visitors.
She is a long time birder and loves to have birders visit so don't be shy
calling her. I think it makes her day in fact- having birder visitors that
is.
Bottom line is, no need to drive her neighborhood playing tapes when you
can stand right there and see it a few feet away (with patience). Please
call her though and give her a heads up.
Merry migration!
Tim R
Coos Bay
On Wed, Mar 11, 2015 at 2:08 PM, CHARLES <chucklthomas@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> I made the drive from Eugene to the Coos Bay area to look for the Hooded
> Oriole. Numerous eBird reports showed it was being found in a suburb area
> of North Bend. I got there in late morning, and spent most of the rest of
> the day driving around the neighborhood checking out birds perched in
> trees, on power lines, and flying birds. I saw lots of Eurasian
> Collared-Doves, Starlings, and a few morning doves, and robins - but
> nothing looking remotely like a hooded oriole. So, I grabbed a motel to try
> again in the morning. The next eBird report had a specific location - house
> on a corner lot. I went there looked around, but saw no birds at all. So, I
> used my iPhone and played its call - one tap got two calls. Immediately I
> saw a flash of yellow in a dense pine tree. By the time I raised my camera
> the Oriole was visible in an opening. I took two shots, and quickly left -
> as I always feel a bit uncomfortable using binoculars and cameras around
> occupied homes.
>
> So, how much damage did I do? No doubt the Oriole was disappointed that
> there was no real bird - which was probably not a new experience for him.
> Perhaps his last response to the call was mine as he decided to stop
> responding to an elusive Oriole, and other folks missed him. If so, I'm
> sorry, and hope the Oriole is back in southern climes happy to be re-united
> with others of his kind.
>
> I thought about my potential playback damage issue again yesterday when I
> was mowing my lawn and found the remains of a Varied Thrush killed by one
> of the neighborhood cats. That bird was there because I feed the birds. I
> don't feed them because I feel the need to help them survive the winter. I
> feed them to have them around for my own pleasure. I know the cats
> are around - that they occasionally visit my back yard, and I know that
> scaring them off has no long term effect.
>
> So should I stop feeding birds because it causes an occasional death to
> cats - as well as the Cooper's Hawk that visits during the winter? I have
> thought about it, but doubt that I'll stop.
>
> As for the Oriole - I don't think I did any serious, or even significant
> damage. I do not use playback on regular bird walks to get looks at species
> I've seen often. Nor do I use it to just see if something is lurking in the
> brush. But, I will use it again if I make a major investment in time, and
> money to see a lifer, or to confirm the ID of a bird that is unusual for
> the area - if (1) it is really necessary, (2) I know there is no issue with
> nesting, and (3) the bird I'm interested in is not a Federally listed
> species, e.g., Northern Spotted Owl.
>
> Charles Thomas
> Eugene
>
>
>
>
>
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