I received a private note asking for a definition of 'federally listed'.
Although that phrase is commonly used when conducting environmental
studies, I see now that it can be a bit ambiguous. Thanks for the heads
up, anonymous poster;-)
In this context 'federally listed' means that the species is formally
listed by USFWS as being threatened or endangered. There are a couple of
other phrases that might be confusing. A species of concern (SOC) is a
species that has been officially listed as either threatened or endangered,
and enjoys the specific protections assigned to those classifications. A
species of interest (SOI) is a species that is being considered for
listing, but that does not yet enjoy the increased protections that SOC's
enjoy. Sprague's Pipit is a good example of a federal SOI.
Species that are listed at the state level, but not the federal level may
have some state protections that may not apply at the federal level.
On Mon, May 30, 2016 at 7:59 AM, Jim Sinclair <jim.sinclair@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I had made a private response to Nate, but a public response may be useful.
Perhaps the the most important consideration is that it is a violation of
federal law to play the song of a federally listed species. Only permit
holders are allowed to do so, and even then, under tightly controlled
conditions.
Most, if not all, established sanctuaries, such as state and federal
parks, refuges, etc., have specific restrictions to playing songs. The
problem is the cumulative impact on a species at a particular location.
The guides on the spring King Ranch tours to Norias regularly play songs.
But the guides are the only ones doing it, it is a tightly controlled
activity, and they do not play songs/calls at a particular location more
than a few times per year. And, since there are 225,000 acres to play in,
it's pretty minimal impact;-)
Using ear buds is a great way to go, IMO.
On Sat, May 28, 2016 at 1:41 PM, Marianne Feeney <marianne.feeney@xxxxxx>
wrote:
Thank you for bringing this subject up. I am trying to learn bird calls
and find it helpful to listen to the app in the field when the bird cannot
be located. I do not play them loud, hold the phone to my ear, and have
never noticed that any birds were brought in by my actions. Should I use
ear buds? Thanks for any information.
Marianne
On May 28, 2016, at 1:32 PM, Nathaniel Nye <nathaniel.nye@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:
sometimes
Fellow birders,
Emails and written words are funny things. Sometimes they just don't do
justice to the truth, sometimes they are used/chosen poorly, or
even interpreted wrong.actually
In response to my last report about a possible Black-capped Vireo at
Government Canyon, I have received some responses about the use of
recordings in the field. To set the record straight, here is what
took place. As I was moving down the trail I heard a bird calling thatand
sounded like a vireo. Something resembling aspects of both a White-eyed
a Solitary-type song but different, and I was thinking possibleidentify
Black-capped but unable to remember their exact song to be able to
it as such. After trying to spot it for several minutes in vain, Ipulled
out my cell phone and looked up Black-capped in my Sibley app and playedto
the Texas recording 1-2x (no more than 10 sec total), primarily trying
identify what I was hearing from inside those trees. As I played it, Iup. I
compared it to the bird's song and also paid attention to the bird's
behavior...in all honesty hoping maybe he might get curious and come
didn't play it again after that.gear,
I guess the best case scenario is to have every bird song and call
memorized so as not to need the app in the field. Next best case in
retrospect would be to bring earphones (not part of my usual birding
but maybe it should be). In my case I played it over the phone'sspeaker.
As hard as I have tried in past instances, I find it very difficult toID.
remember exactly what a song sounded like and match it up later for an
bird
I often see posts where a birder describes using a recording to lure a
into view, so I didn't hesitate to describe my app use as such. I amaware
of trying not to disturb birds in their natural habitat, and this isnot
important to me, but perhaps I'm unclear on what is kosher and what is
with regard to using an app to identify a bird by song/call in thefield.
What is the actual impact (large? Small?) of playing a 5-second birdin
recording in the field?
I appreciate those who have been tactful, friendly, and non-judgmental
their responses thus far. I do apologize for whatever impact my app maypermission
have had on the bird in question, and hope this discussion may help
clarify the issues for me and perhaps others.
V/R,
Nate Nye
Edit your Freelists account settings for TEXBIRDS at
//www.freelists.org/list/texbirds
Reposting of traffic from TEXBIRDS is prohibited without seeking
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--
Jim Sinclair (TX-ESA)
TOS Life Member
Kingsville, TX
"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of
thinking we were at when we created them." - Albert Einstein
