Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2000 13:38:14 -0500 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Mike Callahan Subject: Snowy Owl Circus, No Ringmaster MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi fellow MDOspreyers, Like a number of you, the Frederick Snowy Owl was a life bird for me. I really enjoyed observing it on Sunday afternoon and especially when it bathed in the puddle. I have observed captive owls bathe before but have never seen this behavior in the wild. Just as interesting as the owl's behavior was that of many of the birders watching it. I was just as amused and surprised by the circus like behavior of the birders watching it. People were standing in the road obstructing traffic while looking through scopes or while waiting their turn to view the owl. A number of cars were also parked completely off the road, partially blocking traffic. It appeared that some birders were parking and walking in private driveways. One driveway had several cars parked in it. Maybe they had permission form the property owners to enter. The police were called by the property owner when people were on his property past the barb wired property line. Another disturbing observation was the train of cars that literally chased the bird from place to place to view the owl closer. A number of people even stood directly under the telephone pole below the perched owl. Some were too close for comfort and to the point of what I would consider harassing the bird. Cars involved in the chase were from both MD and VA. Think of how this unbecoming behavior looks to non birders. Safety of the bird should be taken into account at all times. Many rare birds go unreported for fear of incidents like this. PLEASE be respectful of property owners, their properties, birds and habitat when birding at all times. As birders we should practice a birding code of ethics and never harass birds, or property owners. Had I been more familiar with them I would have done more than ask people to step off of the highway. I would have brought to the attention of the people involved how unprofessional some actions appeared and what wrong impression they may leave with the non birding community. I have copied the following excerpts form the ABA Code of Birding Ethics which is posted under Birding in Maryland on the MOS web site. www.mdbirds.org Please check it out and refresh your memory or learn about them for the first time. I would appreciate it if anyone who subscribes to the Virginia counterpart of MDOsprey if you would copy and forward this to it. A number of birders present Sunday were practicing exemplary birding ethics and should be commended for their actions. Unfortunately the negative impression will last longer in observers memory. Naturally, Mike Callahan Laurel, MD Howard County Bird Club American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics Everyone who enjoys birds and birding must always respect wildlife, its environment, and the rights of others. In any conflict of interest between birds and birders, the welfare of the birds and their environment comes first. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment. To avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger, exercise restraint and caution during observation, photography, sound recording, or filming. Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and never use such methods in heavily birded areas, or for attracting any species that is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concerns, or is rare in your local area; Before advertising the presence of a rare bird, evaluate the potential for disturbance to the bird, its surroundings, and other people in the area, and proceed only if access can be controlled, disturbance minimized, and permission has been obtained from private land-owners. Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist; otherwise keep habitat disturbance to a minimum. Respect the law and the rights of others. Do not enter private property without the owner's explicit permission. Follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing use of roads and public areas, both at home and abroad. Practice common courtesy in contacts with other people. Your exemplary behavior will generate goodwill with birders and non-birders alike. Group birding, whether organized or impromptu, requires special care. Each individual in the group,has responsibilities as a Group Member. Respect the interests, rights, and skills of fellow birders, as well as people participating in other legitimate outdoor activities. Freely share your knowledge and experience, except where code 1(c) applies. Be especially helpful to beginning birders. Be an exemplary ethical role model for the group. Teach through word and example. Keep groups to a size that limits impact on the environment, and does not interfere with others using the same area. Ensure everyone in the group knows of and practices this code. Learn and inform the group of any special circumstances applicable to the areas being visited (e.g., no tape recorders allowed). Acknowledge that professional tour companies bear a special responsibility to place the welfare of birds and the benefits of public knowledge ahead of the company's commercial interests. Ideally, leaders should keep track of tour sightings, document unusual occurrences, and submit records to appropriate organizations. ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================