Date: 3/2/13 7:34 am
From: Jim Moore <epiphenomenon9...>
Subject: Re: [MDBirding] Re: WSSC--birdwatching fees


I think what many people find annoying or offensive about the fee is
that it is characterized as a "birdwatching fee" rather than an entrance
fee. Lots of parks charge entrance fees, but I'm aware of few if any
that charge fees simply for watching birds. Birdwatching is a low-impact
activity, and does not require the WSSC to incur any expenditures any
more than simply entering the property � people who come on the property
just to look at the water have the same impact as birders regardless of
whether they also look at birds. So the very idea that there should be a
fee for birdwatching seems incongruous, at least to me. I think most of
us feel that no one owns wild birds, and the birds as well as watching
them should be free activities.

That said, the regulations indicate that fees are also required for
picnicking and hiking. So overall this is pretty close to being an
entrance fee; I guess the only thing you don't have to pay a fee for is
if you come on the property just to look around � provided you carefully
avoid looking at any creatures in the class Aves!

Good (free) birding!
Jim Moore
Rockville, Maryland

On 3/2/2013 10:15 AM, Leslie Starr wrote:
>
> On Mar 2, 2013, at 10:06 AM, Frank Boyle wrote:
>
>
>> In short: what's the big deal? Pay the fee and have fun birding.
>
>
> I haven't read all the details, so apologies if I am missing
> something. For me, the issue is not so much paying a fee but whether
> obtaining access permission will be too cumbersome for spontaneous
> visits.
>
> thanks, Leslie Starr
> Baltimore
>
>
>
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