Hi Tweets,

Michele Herzberg writes:

>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.

Well, birds' eyes are made of the same stuff ours are, so it's a good bet
that if people pointing laser pointers at other people's eyes cause retinal
burning and scarring, sight impairment and blindness in humans, people
pointing tham at birds will inflict the same harm. Birds are even more
dependent on sight than we are: to steal it from them because they fit some
human criterion of 'undesirability' is reprehensible, as it is a virtual
warrant for a slow death for them. In the context of humane treatment for
animals, I find the callousness of some of the postings on this subject
repulsive, especially coming from people who should know better and to whom
many beginning and intermediate birders look for a guiding authority.

>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.

Amen to this. Birds that enhance a yard-, year- or life-list are not the
only ones which 'deserve' humane treatment. They all do.

Michael Price
Vancouver BC Canada
mprice at mindlink.net

"She's psychic....we've decided to find it charming."
--Frasier