Subject: Re: Non-birder hostility: Survival Suggestions
Date: Feb 20 05:46:56 1996
From: "David P. Anderson" - davidp at wolfenet.com


Well, this is my first post here, I usually just lurk and keep track of
where the birds are, for when I going out, but the comments about the
"locals" in Skagit County & Eastern Washington have forced me to brave
the spotlight of publicity.

First, as far as my credentials, I lived for 7 years in
Stanwood, and 5 years in Yakima, during all that time I have been an
avid birder and nature photgrapher, and never once been harrased or
hasssled by "locals". Mainly because I looked like I belonged.

Whenever "city folk" came to the flats ( as In Skagit ) they
were immediately noticeable because of their brightly colored Eddie
Bauer jackets and wind pants, day packs, and hats, all clustered
together and chatting loudly as they rustled their way down the trails.

Now the locals, don't dislike city folk for how they dress, they
just know that you won't see much, because everey creature for miles
around knows you're coming! And they know, because they live there,
that that kind of clothing ain't worth a hoot in the woods( or
swamps, or desert, tide flats ) Look at the farmers and ranchers, their
clothes are strong, but soft, waterproof, but drab colored, and when
they walk they don't make a lot of noise ( a nylon jacket will scare up
ducks for a 1/4 mile around, just from the noise your arms make when you
walk ).

Finally, most of these locals are avid fans of wildlife, it's
one of the reasons they live where they do! Another post here recently
spoke of how a great grey owl flew onto a fence, left ten minutes later,
and then came back when it was too dark to see. Now as a local I would
know that that owl was there to hunt, not show off, and it couldn't
because of all the ruckus. And as a local I would also know that if
every body had been quiet, camaflouged, or hidden, and concious
of where they were, I would have seen him hunt, not just sit confused
and then leave when hunting was at it's prime.

To people who view these areas as there home, and these animals
as part of their home this becomes very annoying. If all your neighbors
came in your house and stood in front of your T.V. when your favorite
show was on, and only let you see the commercials, you'd be annoyed too.

Locals are environmentalists, maybe not in the global context of
wanting to stop clearcutting, but certainly in the local sense of don't
stress out the owl! ( I once sat on the hood of my truck at Big Ditch,
by Stanwood, and watched a Great Horned Owl hunt the flats from the
Alders from full dark to dawn, only to have a couple of "birdwatchers"
show up, put on their orange jackets and white hats, and stroll down the
trail right under him, spooking him right out of where he had planned to
sleep. They came back 10 minutes later, and asked "Did you see that
eagle?" Got in their car and drove away.)

Sure the locals want to scare you away. If there wasn't a road
full of tourists the snow geese would be in the locals front yard, where
they've been for generations, not cramped up in the middle of a picked
clean field constantly flying in alarm, instead of getting the rest they
need to survive their flight home.

I'm sure I've angered some of you, and alienated a lot of
others, But don't blame right wing politics, or parochial atitudes, for
all the abuse you might receive. If you dress quietly, walk quietly,
socialize in restaurants, not mud flats, treat the wildlife tenderly,
and try to feel like you are part of the environment you're in, the
abuse will go away.

I apologize for preaching, and hope you don't mind my continued lurking,
because I like knowing where the birds are, and I know that I can go out
and watch them live, not just add 'em to my life list.

Thanks,
Dave
Knowledge comes only from Information. From Knowledge comes
Understanding, and only Understanding produces Love.