I read with interest Dennis' post concerning ethics regarding visiting
nesting sites of interesting birds. Apparently, it's pretty much an
accepted fact that if I hang out over a nest, a predator is watching me
and taking note of my interest. Since I wear a Birdchat pin and carry
binocs and scope, the predator simply waits until I leave, then takes an
easy dinner. Hmmmm.....

Since the discussion concerned ethics, I checked thhe ABA code again just to
make sure I recalled it correctly. I found "Keep an appropriate distance
from nests and nesting colonies so as not to disturb them oor expose them to danger". I interpret this personally as meaning tha
f I happen acorss a
nest, I should immediately do a 180 and leave the family alone. Perhaps
this particular "code" is to address the very problem of predator
attraction.


Dennis also wrote about a "tiny proportion of the population of [species]
as 'expendable'". Now, who decides what is "tiny"? Of which species?
I have a hard time accepting starlings as expendable (or rock doves), much
less species I haven't seen. Is someone going to post the acceptable
expendable list on Tweeters regularly?

OK, maybe sometimes the advance of man's knowledge is worth a slight cost
to nature. Or, "but the line has to be drawn". Again, who is drawing thhe lines and where can I get this information? I will gladly not cross any line
drawn when I see it.

With thhe success of Tweeters, Dan's efforts, the contributions of many
people in the NW, the expansion of internet discussion groups regarding
birding, the number of clubs and magazines devoted to birding, and
increased environmental awareness of a hhuge section of the American
population, stricter ethics are called for, not exceptions.

Less Dennis thinks I am attacking him, he's a scientist empowered by
the rest of us to exercise his judgement in gathering facts that we
use to enhance our hobby (or sport). I carry his book in my backpack
along with NGS; that means the weight on my shoulders caused by his
ideas is worth it.

Buut I don't believe he should be advocating sport birders attract
predators to expendable populations of certain species....

Marty Cassidy
cassidym at delphi.com
Seattle, WA

PS. Sorry about the typos. I've been swearing for months now that
i will replace this keyboard...