Greetings,
As always, I love reading anything Harry writes. I also wonder how much
media attention a Red-footed Falcon would have elsewhere, but not flying past a
hawkwatch. A bird that is seen for only a day or less, regardless to how well
documented, isn't going to generate the interest that something that sticks
around for two weeks will. If the bird was found somewhere near a populated
area, I think it might get some interest. Look at the Maryland Kelp Gull,
which
certainly did.
Having grown up in Massachusetts (the growing out part came later), one thing
I can add that I think is an element in this, and that has to do with the
birding culture. My parents were not birders, but they belonged to Mass
Audubon,
had binoculars (one pair for the family), a field guide, and went to Audubon
Sanctuaries to go for walks, and ostensibly see some birds (and now I thank
them for dragging me along). Lots of neighbors cars adorned with the telltale
blue triangle with the Barn Swallow which comes with membership to Mass
Audubon. I'm still a member. People who didn't own binoculars joined Mass
Audubon,
and certainly this owed itself in no small part to the various Audubon
Sanctuaries around the state where they might go for a walk. The Boston Globe
runs a
bird sightings piece every week, essentially a transcript of the RBA put out
by Mass Audubon. People up there tend to be more aware of birding and
birders, at least around eastern Massachusetts. Just two weeks ago I was
looking at
shorebirds at Lynn Beach, and was passed by countless people. The only ones
that said anything simply asked if we were seeing anything good. They knew we
were looking at birds.
One other factor is that Martha's Vineyard is a destination for a lot of
people from metropolitan Boston and New York. Certainly having this bird plop
down on that little island helped make it as famous as it was.
All that said, make no mistake about one thing: Boston, as anyone can tell
you, is the Hub of the Universe. I don't know about that other city down the
coast a ways (with a baseball team that plays in the Bronx), but clearly there
is Hubcentrism, as there should be.
Best,
Todd
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Todd Michael Day
Jeffersonton, Virginia, USA
Culpeper County
BlkVulture@xxxxxxx
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