Tom Foote wrote:

> I don't think that was Michael's intent..we've had
> this discussion on-going on the air many times with callers
> who ask about predation in one form or other..it's not bad,
> it's not good, it's what is and an environment that has
> falcons and shorebirds is a complete environment

I have no problem with the natural scheme of things.

> When I've talked with Michael about this he's always
> talked about the shorebirds and I'm the one that marvels
> at the falcon attacks. I guess what I like about the
> falcon presence is not so much the sensational attacks
> they might make, but that incredibly beautiful shorebird
> ballet they set in motion...few things in this world are more
> impressive than dunlin balling up and flashing their
> collective underbelly so it catches the sun, again and
> again..back and forth.

Bowerman Basin is not a ****ing circus !!!!!

These birds have flown at least 1000 miles to get there probably a
lot longer in the case of the small numbers of red knot present.
They are racing to get to the breeding grounds and will spend the
entire time (typically 4-5 days) at Grays Harbor frantically
feeding in order to get their body weights up in order to have
enough energy to make the flight across the Gulf Of Alaska to the
Copper River Delta.

>From what you have said I think it is reasonable to assume that
some form of "stimulation" will be applied to the feeding flocks in
order to let everybody present see the "spectacle". Either this
involves is simply flying a falcon at a distance, either to disturb
the birds or to attract a peregrine into the area. I don't think
people would be stupid enough to send a bird into the flocks of
feeding shorebirds. However who can tell what a hunting bird will do
once airborne with all that food out there !!!

My first reaction to this is that it is likely to be highly illegal
and certainly outrageously immoral.

So please, somebody email me and say I have it all wrong - however
the evidence so far suggests otherwise.

Stuart
---
Stuart MacKay
220-301 Calibre Chase Drive
Raleigh, NC 27609
ph:(919) 832 0353
email: stuart at blarg.net