Subject: Re: Non-birder hostility: Survival Suggestions
Date: Feb 20 13:39:34 1996
From: Raymond Korpi - rkorpi at clark.edu


I think there have been good points made on both sides of this
discussion. Stereotypes are dangerous no matter from whence they arise.

On the subject, I have had little problems with locals in rural areas
while birding, and this includes my experience in Nebraska, on the
Palouse, and in eastern Oregon. The times I have been approached have
generally been times when the locals had a concern about strangers in the
area: crime is a big concern in local and urban areas, and people
apporached me if I was looking with binoculars, thinking I was scoping
their house, especially when others had recently been broken into.
I feel more discomfort when birding in urban and suburban areas than I do
in rural areas because of this concern--I had more trepidation about
chasing the Emperor Goose in Gresham until I met locals there than I
would a similar bird in a more rural area.

I'd note one thing that helps in both urban and rural situations is to
repsect private property. Too many times I've been with birders who
blithely hop over fences and trample across farm fields after their
query--this causes friction no matter where you are and causes problems
for those who might follow. After following for a while, I now try to
stay back as this disregard for property seems to be the most problematic
thing we as birders often do. One instance of being shot at during a
Christmas Count in a semi-suburban area was enough (and we were on land
where we had permission to go and were looking at a pond from this land
when the shot was fired, scattering the ducks and scaring us).

When you are out this spring, realize the responsibility that you have
not only in respecting the rights of others, but also setting the table
for those who follow. Access to places which have been "traditionally"
used is easily denied through one bad incident.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ray Korpi "The article is very in-depth and has a lot
Hm: Portland, OR of information."
Wk: Clark College --an anonymous student
Vancouver, WA (as if I had another reason to want to
rkorpi at clark.edu get out in the field! :') )