Jo,

When I first read your post I was a bit more irate, but now that I let it go
for a few hours I just want to make a point. Do you know how hypocritical
the end of your post sounds? By telling everyone to rein in the circulation
of rarities on private property was entirely appropriate. Even indirectly
chastising an individual or two was also just. The first post that mentioned
the bird I'm sure was purely accidental without thought to having mentioned
it, but wrong none the less even though no specifics were reported that
betrayed the bird's whereabouts.

However, you then say that all you need to do to get the word on these
rarities is become a member of the Howard County Bird Club and request to be
added to the rare bird list. Don't you see how inappropriate that sounds? It
gives the appearance that if an individual wants to be part of the in crowd,
all they have to do is cough up a few buck and they won't have to worry
about any other discretions that might be applied to a report. How then will
you handle a situation where a bird shows up at a very private location and
an individual doesn't get the report because it's being held very close to
the vest? What do you have to say to that person if and when they find out
and the bird is gone? Who will be responsible when the only reason the
person joined the club was to get all the rarity reports and it's denied
them? (And yes, I truly think that there are people that are shallow enough
to do that).

This is a very touchy subject that has recently been a part of some
discussions both on MDOSPREY and off by a number of members of this list. So
far, no one has been able to come up with a proper and fair solution on how
to handle these situations since every one of them has their own nuance that
makes them unique in their handling. In your post, I believe that you
trivialized the whole rarity process by offering individuals an opportunity
to part of the "in" crowd by their simply becoming a member of the club, and
I think that is very wrong. What will you do if there becomes hundreds of
members requesting this information? It offers up a benefit that you can't
truly promise to live up to and creates a liability to the Howard County
Bird Club. I think that you should retract that part of the message and, if
it's being handled that way now, reconsider the manner in which rarities are
being circulated by "The Club". It's inappropriate, not in the best interest
of both the birds and the property owners, and a spit in the face to the
rest of Maryland's birding community.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

Ed Boyd
Westminster, MD
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob & Jo Solem" <>
To: <>
Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2009 9:41 PM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Howard County Harris's Sparrow


> Maryland Birders:
>
> If mention of a rare bird has not been made on MDOsprey and directions
> have not been posted, there usually is a reason. Do not take
> it upon yourself to post. This is quite a different situation than the
> White-winged Crossbills in a public park.  In this case,
> there was a concern about dozens of birders appearing behind a building in
> a private business park. The man who found the sparrow
> was quite unaware of the number of people this bird might attract.
>
> A communication I received today includes the following information which
> suggests staying on public property, at least until it can
> be determined whether birders can continue to access the back of the
> building.
>
> "I'll check with COPT, the building management company, to see if they
> have any particular concerns about birdwatchers. I threw some
> millet back in the woods by the Columbia Association pathway, since that
> would be a better place for birders if it starts going
> there. If anybody wants to give that a try, then from Gateway Drive, take
> Alexander Bell and stop where the main road ends, before
> the divided driveway goes back to the office buildings. On the left side
> of the road, follow the paved pathway as it leaves the road
> and curves back by the fence and ends at some picnic tables. Stand on the
> very end of the pavement, and look to the left of the
> paved path. I threw the millet there on the dirt path."
>
> Anyone who is a member of the Howard County Bird Club may request being
> added to the Rare Bird Alert. There are no special rules
> except that birders are expected to exhibit the same courteous and
> sensitive behavior they would abide by wherever they bird.
>
> Jo Solem
> Laurel, MD 20723
>