Some things you need to learn about country people:
We are accustomed to traffic continuing on its way. Slowing or stopping traffic is cause for concern; either a visitor or possible trouble. You become attuned to the sounds of traffic and any interruption in the normal flow tends to put nerves on edge to some degree, particularly when the disruption continues. Someone stopped: do I need to put on some pants or get the shotgun? In any case I need to stop what I am doing and check to see who it is. The people in Creagerstown have been putting up with this for many days and the stress is building, little by little.
People in the country have different boundaries than those in the burbs. Pulling into our drive is about like walking in your back door unexpected and unannounced. The quiet has been broken and we are painfully aware of your presence. So are the dogs and cats (and the watch parrot). In the burbs its ok to have someone five feet from your window. In rural areas, you're noticed and watched when you're within 500 feet.
Not to mention other interruptions to normal life. I tend to not have much concern with being dressed when at home. Can you imagine how I would feel to come out of the shower and walk past the front window to see a dozen cars and 20 scopes looking my way? Can you imagine how you would feel if I were in your field of focus? (ICK!) Now think of how you would feel were that to happen to you? And now you have to worry about it everyday for weeks?
Many rural people work from home. As farmers or with their own businesses. Open roads are important for them to get to and from work, whether to get to the next field or to get the company van to the job site. Blocking roads makes them late to work, or makes a bad day worse on the way home (think of how you hate rush hour traffic). Even a partially blocked lane can seriously impede a tractor or large truck.
Sure a field is huge, it's just for crops and its muddy or grass and will be tilled soon anyway. But it is still someone's property and it is their right to determine what they do with it. Consider it a large yard and treat it with respect. If you disagree I would be happy to park my SUV on your lawn and look in your windows. I bet your cops won't be as patient as the Frederick County Sheriff's Deputies.
All the well meaning knocks on the door and thank-you letters won't mean all that much beyond the first few. They don't want tire ruts on their lawns or over Granny's resting place. They don't want to wait for ten people to put their scopes away and move their cars so they can plow a field. These people just want their quiet and solitude back.
I am disappointed to see that some people feel these people are over-reacting. Initial friendliness does not convey the right to trespass, impede or disturb residents. It's being polite, and it is expected that you return this courtesy when birding.
--
J. Steven Huy
Middletown, MD, USA
---- Frank Boyle <> wrote:
=============
I agree - with enthusiasm. I live close to Thurmont and have been up there
several times to find the road blocked by cars - that's all it takes to tick
off the locals. Look at it this way: how would you react if deer hunters
showed up in your lovely suburban neighborhood one day and started parking
their cars willy-nilly, and blocking the road? My guess is you'd be a
little perturbed.
Here's to hoping the Lapwing finds its way back home, and y'all can go to
the zoo to see one.
***********************
Frank Boyle
Rohrersville, MD
***********************
"The most powerful weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the
oppressed."
- Stephen Biko
-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of J. Steven Huy
Sent: 03/07/2005 12:37 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Lapwing Warning!
The bird is protected under the act:
http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/intrnltr/mbta/mbtandx.html#alpha1
But what should be getting under your skin is that this person has been made
to feel this way at all. It's been the actions of some irresponsible birders
that has put the bird in potential jeopardy.
--
J. Steven Huy
Middletown, MD, USA
---- Chris Starling <> wrote:
=============
Paul O'Brien wrote:
"...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... "
I would think that this WOULD be a "protected" speceis under the Federal
Migratory Bird Act"?!!!?
The bird is not an agriculture nusance like a crow, grackle, starling
etc.... and it certainly not huntable.
Isnt it illeagle to just arbitrarily shoot things!
That comment really get under my skin!
-Chris Starling
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