Dear Tweeters: This is Dean with the 4th/5th grade class doing bird
studies for another year. We had six kids and three adults in one school
van on our first of two raptor trips to the Skagit/Samish Flats this last
Saturday (17th). We post observations and questions at times to
tweeters. We appreciate the information, discussions, and responses we
have received. These birding folks are nice people. A stereotype I don't
mind mentioning, and I hope they stay that way. It is my hunch that the
wild keeps us this way. However, the kids and I experienced some less
than respectful actions while watching the GG Owl. First, a truck with
two young fellows, feet hanging out the doors, yelling, honking, and
speeding between the bird and viewers went by. Second, a car pulls up
between the bird and viewers. An man gets out with VCR camera and tripod
and sneaks over across from the bird. Keep in mind this is between the
bird and us viewers. Then, another photo-head with long lens camera walks
over next to the video person. He then starts to walk down the side of
the road towards the owl. It's not just local folks or city folks. It's
attitude and motivation. Attitude of intolerance, lack of acceptance, and
disrespect. Motivation of selfishness, money, and vanity. The
kids innocently
asked what they were doing, in both cases. Perfect examples of what not
to do. The sad aspect of these two displays was the diminishing of the
wild experience for all viewers. Here we were quietly (whispering) from a
distance. Breathing in the joy of watching a wild animal survive in the
wild. Just the feeling I want to get. The main motivation for taking time
to gather kids, drive long distances, learn about the natural world, and
anticipate such experiences. As we watch and enjoy, what happens. These
two attitudes interrupt and take away part of this wild experience from
us. This does cause anger, and right behind that anger is sadness. And,
this is my sadness.

It was a great day, nonetheless. Such tripe doesn't get in the way of a
beautiful day on the flats with great birds and people. We did see a
white bird with a blackbird flock. We couldn't see the eye closely,
however, I guess there are albino blackbirds too? Quite unusual, and
humorous too. The kids can share their other sightings.

We (the kids) will start to enter a birding post every Thursday for the
remainder of the school year. This will be like a birding journal entry
for them. A few kids each week will enter their observations and
curiosities from the preceding week. I'm sure this will add to their
birding knowledge. Also, this will limit our posting to one day a week.

Final note: I will be taking a few kids once a week after school down to
Marymoor Park for a couple hours of birding. The day will vary, with
times about 4pm to 6-7ish. If any birder wants to help out and enjoy the
time with young birders let me know and we can meet at the park. Also, we
still accept old binoculars/scopes for our birding trips. Thanks.

-dean