I'm concerned that the suggestion of shining a hazardous laser pointer in
the eyes of ANY bird or animal might be considered an acceptable method to
select the species "allowed" to visit a garden bird feeder!

To the best of my knowledge, no research has been done on the effects of
intense laser pointer light, at any distance, on delicate bird eyes as
opposed to human eyes (which have a different focal length), so it seems
the possibility of inflicting a cruel injury to birds may well exist.

Anyone who maintains a bird feeder has undoubtedly encountered the less
desirable wildlife visitors. However, changing the type of feeder and/or
food is in my opinion a much more humane, responsible and ultimately
effective way of encouraging the more popular species of birds to visit,
while making the feeding station less attractive to House Sparrows,
Starlings and squirrels.

Michele Herzberg
Kent, WA

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>>Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 21:33:44 EST
>>From: Turaco14 at aol.com
>>To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
>>Subject: Squirrel and English Sparrow solution!
>>
>>Dear Tweeters-
>>
>>Do any of you have problems with squirrels or English Sparrow coming to your
>>feeder? Well, I recently purchased a laser pointer and are they great or
>>what?! Just shine it in their eyes at a range greater than 18' (otherwise it
>>may cause permanent damage) and they freak out and fly or run away!
>>
>>Tyler Davis
>>M.I.
>>
>>Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1999 00:05:41 -0500 (EST)
>>From: "Bob Mauritsen" <Bluetooth at csi.com>
>>To: "tweeters" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
>>Subject: Re: Squirrel and English Sparrow solution!
>>
>>This is wonderful. I'm going to use one off-label
>>for pigeons.
>>
>>bob mauritsen
>>Seattle
>>
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