Well, I am a very recent Howard County birder so I can't lay claim to perpetrating any myth. However, I am familiar with how the farm is run by the University of Maryland, and I can say without any hesitation that if birders begin to indiscriminately show up at the farm site in numbers, it will most definitely result in the curtailment of access for everyone in short order. The idea that it is property owned by the citizens of Maryland and therefore that infers open access to everyone is faulty in my opinion. I remember in my college days a student or two trespassing at night at PSU's Beaver Stadium - also a facility ostensibly "owned by the citizens" - and promptly getting arrested for trespass and spending a night in jail. The farm is no different. It is managed by the Farm Manager and we (and anyone else) visit at his pleasure.
Now maybe Jim got access the times he went to the Farm. So be it. Others might just be able to do that too - at first. When numbers of people just start showing up wanting access, it will evaporate for all of us in short order. That's my opinion. If the Farm Manager wants to weigh in on this and contradict what we believe to be true, GREAT! Then we can all have access at any time. We shall see. Nobody is trying to restrict other birders. It's just a desire to protect access to a great site. Haven't we lost access at enough sites in the past to at least give pause before rushing headlong into this?
I also take a bit of offense at the insinuation that Howard Birders have some personal agenda and try to restrict other birders access to sites and opportunities at rarities when they show up in County. I have heard this purported now in this forum and from personal communications to me in the past. I couldn't find that to be farther from the truth. They are all good people, actively engaged in our hobby, and genuinely concerned first about the birds we all love and chase, and second about what somebody else wants or needs on their year/county/life list. Isn't that how it should be for all of us?
Russ Ruffing
On 05/23/13, <Jlstasz...> wrote:
Hi Folks!
The rail was not on private property, but on the
University of Maryland Central Farm. This land is owned by the citizens of
Maryland. The Howard County birders have perpetuated the myth that it is private
property. In the past I specifically asked the local field trip coordinator how
one obtains permission to bird there. My request was never answered. I since
went to the location on my own and had no problem getting permission to bird
there.
Getting ready to be flamed....
Jim Stasz
North Beach
MD
Jlstasz @aol.com
In a message dated 5/23/2013 4:05:48 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
<auk1844...> writes:
On Saturday, 5/18 we found a Black Rail in Howard County. This was a
first record for Howard County. It called constantly in the middle of the day
for at least 15 minutes. Unfortunately, when we tried to get another group on
it, it remained silent and was not heard or seen again. Then there was a rain
storm and the rail was never relocated. We tried again Sunday evening and
conditions were very good for listening, but no rails called, so I assume it
has moved on.
Obviously, playback would not be appropriate for this species.
The BLRA was on private property so access is very limited. There are
several No Trespassing signs and on our return visit we were questioned by the
Howard County Police but fortunately we had permission.
I wish it had stayed around longer for more people to have had a chance
to hear it. It was not in a location where a person could look for it on their
own.
Many videos and recordings were taken. Here is a link to a small
sample.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55023563@N08/8805992850/
--
Joe Hanfman
Columbia, MD
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