[wisb] Re: Question about Smith's Longspurs
- From: Carol Jaksic <carol.jaksic@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2014 07:16:36 -0500
I look at these situations as teaching moments. We were on a birding event
in Arizona last April and the leader of a night walk we were on was in the
marsh with a flashlight trying to flush out a bird and some in the group
were extremely upset. I had no clue what was going on because I had never
witnessed that before. I didn't know if that was right or wrong. I had to
form an instant opinion of the situation I was in. I thought at the time,
well that isn't that bad, and after I thought about it, I wouldn't want to
be in that situation again. I just got back from a trip to Texas and it was
explained to us on a trip that migrating birds are looking for three
things; rest, food and water. Personally, I don't think they are looking to
be flushed out, but I can learn how other people bird. I'm not here to
judge how people bird, just observe/witness what they do and I can form an
opinion if that is the way I would want to personally bird. You could
compare this situation to some people using recordings/apps to flush out
birds and some don't. To each their own. I appreciate your explanation and
response.
On Fri, Apr 25, 2014 at 1:58 AM, Steve Thiessen
<stevethiessen@xxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:
>
>
> I've walked that field ever since I saw it became a WPA. It is very
> interesting to watch and I'm looking forward to see what it looks like this
> fall. And yes I will be walking it to see if I can find LeConte's and
> Nelson's Sparrows. They will be there a few days this fall, I'm sure.
> Even though many people have walked this field this week, I can't really
> see a change in it. A lot of the base is still just dirt, but the plants
> that came in seem strong. It was interesting that with the snow, last
> winter,a lot of the grass seeds seem to still be there.
> As far as the longspurs go, it was a interesting learning experience. They
> don't act like the Laplands. Even though they did get flushed a number of
> times, it wasn't a constant thing. It wasn't as bad as you are thinking or
> making it out to be. The field is about 1/4 by 1/3 mile. When they didn't
> want to be seen they could really disappear. Now the Savannah Sparrows may
> have thought "Oh no, here they come again".
> Now to dogs. I've taken a dog for walks in many fields. The birds don't
> mind them near as much as they do people. And oddly enough , when I first
> saw these birds (I knew what they were but needed and wanted a good look),
> I let the dog walk ahead in hopes it would flush them. The longspurs got up
> and flew, but not in a panic. I got great views of a bright male flying
> close by.
> There are many ways to bird. Some times I love to be alone and be slow and
> try to notice everything. Sometimes it's all out. We chase rare birds, but
> the journey with friends is the real plus. Wildlife is different every day,
> and I guess so are we.
> Enjoy the spring! Steve Thiessen Stoughton Dane co.
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carol Jaksic" <carol.jaksic@xxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: "Wisconsin Birding Network" <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2014 5:39 PM
> Subject: [wisb] Re: Question about Smith's Longspurs
>
>
>
> I was thinking the same thing Joan. Sounded more like harassment to the
>> birds. For what, a look, a photograph, an add to a bird list? Aren't they
>> migrating and wouldn't they need to rest up and eat. That didn't sound
>> like
>> appropriate birding to me either, but I guess everyone does their birding
>> differently. I'm wondering too if that is what you do when you hunt birds,
>> or just send dogs in to flush them out?
>>
>> On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 10:35 AM, Lutes, Jim <jim_lutes@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>> Another GREAT question..Thanks Mike! I should have provided a source for
>>> finding other WPAs. Anyone can visit the WPA Mapper at
>>> http://gis.fws.gov/WPA_Mapper/ or just do a search for WPA Mapper. The
>>> District also has a website http://www.fws.gov/refuge/leopold_wmd/ where
>>> you can find maps. Just be aware that the maps are updated as time allows
>>> and may not be up to date.
>>> *"Anyone can love the mountains, **it takes soul to love the prairie."*
>>>
>>> Jim Lutes
>>> Wildlife Biologist
>>> Horicon NWR/Leopold WMD Complex
>>> W10040 Cascade Mountain Road
>>> Portage, WI 53901
>>> jim_lutes@xxxxxxx
>>> 608.742.7100 ext. 17 (Office)
>>> 920.948.4763 (Cell)
>>> 608.745.0866 (Fax)
>>> http://www.fws.gov/midwest/horicon/
>>> http://www.fws.gov/midwest/leopold/
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 10:17 AM, Mike Wanger <misterwanger@xxxxxxxxx
>>> >wrote:
>>>
>>> > Thank you, Jim -- good comments.
>>> > I'm wondering if there is a website you could direct me to that lists
>>> > or
>>> > maps the locations of these 55 properties? If you'd care to share on >
>>> the
>>> > listserv, that might be good too...
>>> >
>>> > thanks
>>> > Mike Wanger
>>> > Milwaukee
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 10:10 AM, Lutes, Jim <jim_lutes@xxxxxxx>
>>> wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> Hi Joan -
>>> >> Great question! So, from a purely regulatory standpoint, WPAs are open
>>> to
>>> >> public access for wildlife dependent activities such as hunting,
>>> fishing,
>>> >> wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and
>>> >> interpretation. I have been excited to read throughout the past couple
>>> of
>>> >> weeks the attention that this property has been receiving! Shameless
>>> plug
>>> >> alert.....there are 54 other such properties throughout Southeastern
>>> >> Wisconsin! Now, from an ethical and biological standpoint I have to
>>> admit
>>> >> I
>>> >> had concerns regarding enthusiasts repeatedly flushing birds so they
>>> could
>>> >> make positive identification. I guess in my mind I rationalized it in
>>> >> these
>>> >> ways, 1) It sounds as if, generally, there were groups pf people >>
>>> making
>>> >> the
>>> >> trek to see the birds. I would rather see several people going out >>
>>> once
>>> or
>>> >> twice in a day than individuals going out throughout the day and
>>> >> continuously disrupting the birds. 2) The habitat condition of this
>>> field
>>> >> in particular is in a transient stage being a relatively new grassland
>>> >> planting. In subsequent years the cover in this field will become more
>>> >> dense than currently exists until we burn it for the first time (which
>>> >> should be next spring if our schedule holds) so I guess I would say
>>> enjoy
>>> >> it while it lasts. Lastly, along those "enjoy it while it lasts" lines
>>> 3)
>>> >> this is a great opportunity for enthusiasts of all stripes to actually
>>> >> visualize the changes in community structure and diversity which is
>>> >> brought
>>> >> about through restoration and management. These early stages of
>>> >> restoration
>>> >> have been great for these longspurs...what will it be next year? Tune
>>> >> in
>>> >> and see!
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> *"Anyone can love the mountains, **it takes soul to love the >>
>>> prairie."*
>>> >>
>>> >> Jim Lutes
>>> >> Wildlife Biologist
>>> >> Horicon NWR/Leopold WMD Complex
>>> >> W10040 Cascade Mountain Road
>>> >> Portage, WI 53901
>>> >> jim_lutes@xxxxxxx
>>> >> 608.742.7100 ext. 17 (Office)
>>> >> 920.948.4763 (Cell)
>>> >> 608.745.0866 (Fax)
>>> >> http://www.fws.gov/midwest/horicon/
>>> >> http://www.fws.gov/midwest/leopold/
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 8:11 AM, <jsommer2@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> >
>>> >> > Hello,
>>> >> >
>>> >> > I am not trying to stir the pot but I have a question.
>>> >> >
>>> >> > Please don't backchannel me because I am not interested in debating
>>> >> > or
>>> >> > discussing.
>>> >> >
>>> >> > I am just wondering why it is ok to have groups of people walking
>>> >> > out
>>> >> into
>>> >> > these fields (which may be questionable in itself) with the sole and
>>> >> only
>>> >> > purpose to "flush" these birds just so we can see them.
>>> >> >
>>> >> > Where is the line that says past this point behavior is harassment.
>>> >> >
>>> >> > That's it.
>>> >> >
>>> >> > Joan Sommer
>>> >> > Fredonia
>>> >> > Northern Ozaukee County
>>> >> >
>>> >> >
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