The homeowners in Reagan Wells north of Uvalde who provided visitors access
to the Mexican Violetear for nearly a month indefinitely suspended access
beginning 6-17-19. They requested privacy due to their desire to spend time
with their daughter who was returning home from overseas. Unfortunately,
according to reports, even though the suspension of access was well
publicized on a number of Texas birding forums, several individuals
subsequently trespassed onto and parked without permission on the
homeowners' property in order to observe the bird. If they accessed the
property with the owners' permission, (the owner allowed them to see the
bird, even though the owners had expressed their intention to end access to
their property), then that is the owners' prerogative. However, if those
individuals chose to trespass without the homeowner's permission onto the
property, knowing that access had been ended, violating private property
laws as well standards of common courtesy, then their behavior was
self-centered and unacceptable and reflects poorly on them as individuals
and as birders. We should strive to treat others as we would like to be
treated. Otherwise, homeowners who have a rare bird visiting their property
and are aware of the recent behavior of a few birders may understandably
decide to proactively deny access to the public at large.
Joe
Joseph M. Hood, M.Ed., D.C.
Austin, Texas
Subject: Re: Mexican Violetear, Reagan Wells (Uvalde Co.) YES
Date: Mon Jun 17 2019 17:42 pm
From: jhood001 AT austin.rr.com
The continuing Mexican Violetear visited the nectar feeder at the residence
at Reagan Wells regularly from 7:00 am through 11:00 am on 6-16-19, vying
with the many black-chinned hummingbirds present at the feeder. Many thanks
to the homeowners for their kind hospitality as well as to Robert Rasa for
acting as our guide/liaison.
Joseph M. Hood, M.Ed., D.C.
