This from PABirds:

 Subject: Fw: Creagerstown, MD Concerns
From: Dave DeReamus <becard AT FAST.NET>
Date: Sun, 6 Mar 2005 23:47:42 -0500
Hi, I was asked by a concerned CT birder to please forward this on to PABIRDS 
so that MORE damage isn't done at the Lapwing location. If anyone can also 
pass this on to the MD list, that would be great, too. Good Birding, Dave 
DeReamus Compiler of the 'Eastern PA Birdline' Easton, PA becard AT fast.net Eastern 
PA Birding Website: http://www.users.fast.net/~becard/index.html 
------------------------------------- ----- Original Message ----- From: John Barriger 
Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 2:43 PM Subject: Creagerstown Concerns Hello, Since 
I'm not really sure who I should pass this info on to, I thought I would leave 
it to your discretion as to how to proceed. Please feel free to post this 
message on your respective B-mails, or forward to others that may be interested. 
My only motive is to inform, not inflame. I arrived at the Graceham Rd. sight 
at 7:30am, Saturday (3/5/05). About 8:30am, the lady that owns the land next 
door drove down to the end of her driveway, and asked if we could talk. The 
first thing out of her mouth was "I've had it!" For the next 10 minutes or so, 
she related the problems that she had from "birders". She has found, on several 
occasions, that people have walked, or driven up her driveway to look for/at 
the Lapwing! On Friday afternoon, she says that "birders" scolded the man who 
leases quite a bit of her property, because they felt he was going to scare the 
bird. She informed me that this gentleman was a force to be reckoned with 
since he was involved in law enforcement (how, she didn't say). Friday evening, 
she had a guest that could not get down the driveway because it was blocked by 
a car(s). This visitor was also "hollered at" because she might scare the 
bird. In a couple of incidents, the property owner has found people as far up her 
driveway, as the hay bales! I tried to assure her that I, as well as most of 
the birding community, was sympathetic to her problems and feelings, but she 
was really upset, asking "how long will this be going on?" Believe me she is 
very down on birders at this point. Truthfully, she seems like a very nice lady. 
Between ranting about the lack of consideration she has experienced, she told 
me about her show dogs and how she raises parrots. She also told me that she 
has seen the Lapwing since about August. She thought it was a Kingfisher! She 
even says that on one or two occasions, it flew up and sat on her roof! She 
loves the bird, but not the attention its receiving. She just seemed very 
distressed. It was observed that people were not as careful as they should have been 
with parking, as well as standing and walking in the middle of the road (you 
got the idea they were just there to be entertained, and not much else 
mattered). About 9:30am, we got word that the Lapwing had been found on Blacks Mill 
Rd., at which time the 10+ cars headed for the sight (I'll not describe that 
fiasco!). When we all got to the cemetery, everyone piled out of the cars and 
headed over to the best viewing area. It was observed that, in far too many 
cases, no care or consideration was taken to avoid the graves! People walked all 
over them (check out the footprints in the snow if it seems hard to believe!). I 
would venture that if this type of behavior continues, we may have another 
kind of problem with the Sheriff. On a more positive note, it was gratifying to 
hear folks calling out to make sure that everyone had seen the bird, sharing 
scopes, and advice. Our little fine feathered visitor from the north, gave us 
very nice (but distant) views of the various field marks, and wandered back and 
forth for all to see. After leaving the cemetery, I drove back to Graceham 
Rd. about 11:00am (hoping that the Lapwing would continue the practice of 
showing up for the afternoon). While I and others waited, we were able to send 
several people over to the Black Mills sight to see the bird. When given the 
chance, we warned folks about turning around in the driveway. About noon, the fellow 
that leases the land from the owner showed up in his truck. He hopped out and 
posted Private Property and No Trespassing signs, and set a large orange cone 
in the center of the drive. Before getting back into his truck, he told me to 
tell my friends (I guess that's you guys!) that if they drove up the drive, 
they would be arrested. With a real attitude, he informed me that he was going 
to "take care of the bird, then there won't be any more problems"! As he 
walked away, he said something about the bird not being a protected species. It 
bothered me that, even with the signs and cone in the drive, people continued to 
use it as a turn around! Since I arrived back home (it was a heck of a long 
day for me - left home at 1am and got back at about 9pm, but I GOT THE BIRD!), 
all I've seen are messages regarding the Graceham Rd. parking problem. I think 
there are a number of other concerns to be dealt with in this matter. Please 
believe me, I am not trying to add fuel to the fire, but since I was twice 
chosen to be the "messenger boy", I thought I'd let you folks know. It seems that 
we are hearing more and more about this kind of behavior whenever there is a 
rare sighting. Are these people in Creagerstown over-reacting? Maybe. Are they 
justified? Probably. I would love to see the Lapwing continue, so as many 
people as possible, can see him/her/it. Maybe with a little self-policing we can 
calm the situation and heal a few wounds. Maybe I'll try to get back down 
myself. Good Birding & Best Regards, John Barriger Meriden, CT

Paul O'Brien
Rockville, Mont. Co., MD