Everyone, I agree with comments made here. As a Canadian one would think that I would be super cautious about poking around along the border, but the opposite is true. I have spent NUMEROUS days exploring along the border in many out-of-the-way locations (alone) and have NEVER had any trouble whatsoever. And I do mean locations that are truly out of the way. The reason that I feel safe in these areas boils down to essentially one thing: there are border people everywhere! It is very unusual for even 15 minutes to go by before a border person comes along curious as to what I am doing (presuming that I have tripped a laser wire or something). They are always SUPER friendly, somewhat surprised by my reason for being there, and then they just say "carry on" but be careful. I have also bumped into various farmers who likewise are very friendly, and they were more than happy to allow me to walk around and explore. All this being said, there are two iron-clad rules that I personally always adhere to: 1--never go birding into dense thickets or otherwise hidden areas; the last thing you want to do is disturb someone that might be hiding -- you don't know what their reaction might be! In other words, for the most part I always stay on roads, laneways, trails, forest edges, field edges, etc. 2--never go birding along the river at night, and that might include very early in the morning (ie, sunrise). The reasons are obvious. That being said, a couple years ago I did go deep into Santa Margarita Ranch post-sunset hoping for some good owls (the owners thought I was crazy!). However, had I heard or seen *anything* people-wise I would have been out of there pronto. By the way, there are some fabulous birding areas below both Brownsville and Rio Grande City, areas that I presume are rarely if ever investigated -- except by me! Alan Wormington Leamington, Ontario ---------- Forwarded Message ---------- From: <pfoster1@xxxxxxxxxx> To: texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [texbirds] Salineno Birding Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2012 18:17:39 +0000 I agree with Anthony Hewetson that the danger along the border is grossly exaggerated. I have been hearing these same stories about the dangers of birding in Laredo for years--none true. I've birded both areas regularly for the past 13 years. Using common sense and staying on the U.S. side of the border are the best and only course of action you need to take. Susan Foster (formerly of Laredo) Rockport, Aransas County Edit your Freelists account settings for TEXBIRDS at //www.freelists.org/list/texbirds Reposting of traffic from TEXBIRDS is prohibited without seeking permission from the List Owner ____________________________________________________________ Woman is 57 But Looks 27 Mom publishes simple facelift trick that angered doctors... http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/50be45a5273bd45a5773fst04duc Edit your Freelists account settings for TEXBIRDS at //www.freelists.org/list/texbirds Reposting of traffic from TEXBIRDS is prohibited without seeking permission from the List Owner