Date: Thu, 3 Aug 2000 13:14:32 EDT Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Steve Huy Subject: Re: Disrespectful Behavior of Sandhill Crane Watchers Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit A sign is a good idea, however it should not be up to the owner to provide or post one. As mentioned by someone else, we should approach the owner and ask permission to make and post a sign. Also there is mention that perhaps these were not organized birders behaving in such a manner. These people did hear about this bird from someone so we must be sure to pass on and stress the importance of a landowner's wishes when telling others of a rarity even if we need to remind other birders while at the site. It doesn't matter if the violators were not birders, they could ruin it for the rest of us. And by all means do speak up to violators; we may be able to preserve our permission to observe by keeping an eye on the property. (A great benefit for an out of town owner) This may have been received much better if the neighbors had been able to report to the owner that the birders approached the people driving on the lawn or better yet reported the driver to the police (this can be a traffic violation in many places). As for the photographer, perhaps there was more than one. I would recommend asking permission before carrying equipment onto a property. Perhaps a small camera around the neck to validate the request, but ask then return to the car to bring the big lenses out. This way you won't appear imposing to the resident. Although the owner may have been polite it is easy to startle someone peacefuly working in their own territory. I will announce myself by calling hello from the property edge and wait for aknowledgement before approaching someone in their yard. It not only leaves the property owner more at ease, but prevents misunderstandings with large dogs and firearms. Steve Huy ========================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ========================================================================== ==========================================================================