Hi Tweets,

RE: Brits device comment by M. Price
>The Brits have invented a wonderful device which allows birders to look at
>birds without the birds knowing they're being watched--it's called a
>'blind'. Several of these devices, each at a strategic viewing location and

I nearly feel out on my chair. (haha)

>parallels a dike. The Brits have also discovered that if the 'blinds' are
>built sometime in the ten or eleven months of the year when the birds aren't
>there, there's even *less* disturbance.

I think you should publish this!

>Perhaps there's funds available to study the use of these devices based on
>the British experience, and their possible application to North American
>viewing situations.

Great stuff, Michael!

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Now on a Serious Note:

Are there any good resources for wildlife blind placement, concealment and
construction? Sources of plans etc.? Or any places that are selling old
ranger station towers?

Recently, here in Victoria, BC Parks built a "viewing" platform at the
Goldstream Provincial Park estuary (for watching eagles in guess) however,
many of us birders think the design of the viewing platform was
ill-thought-out as it is too low to the ground and does not conceal a bird
watcher very well. Testament to this is that you need a scope to
comfortably view the eagles otherwise you can't see them very well (so
already "Joe Public" has been excluded.) Secondly, by the platform being
so low, you can't really see what's happening on the estuary.

Note: As a wheelchair accessible platform it may work however, any
wheelchair assisted person attempting to navigate to the thing must first
cross a small arch bridge covered in stucco wire. It's functions like a
large speed bump.

Anyhow, A better role for the viewing platform would be to promote it as a
small teahouse deck or rectangular gazebo. Put in a coffee bar or hot dog
stand and it would be complete.

But, gee whiz, it "looks" nice.

Cheers,

K.


Kevin Slagboom, Web Manager -- Tel: 1-250-658-0940
Birding in British Columbia
http://www.islandnet.com/~boom/birding/bc-main.htm
'Drop by and Contribute your Trip Reports! -- We'd love to read them.'