Tweets,

I have used laser pointers since they were available at a reasonable
(read <$50) price. I just bought a new one in November. Here is my
take on lasers and birds.

1) What about the safety of these things?

NEVER shine a laser pointer into the eyes of someone/something that you
don't want to blind. Even the very inexpensive ones (~$10) available at
any discount store have extremely powerful beams that are capable of
shining a pinpoint of light 1600 feet with an accuracy nearing .25"
variance point to point in the lens alignment over the line of sight
(these small lasers have been used as part of leveling/survey tools for
many years). All of these light/laser pointers sold come with BIG BOLD
WARNINGS on the packages.

2) What about using them to chase undesirable wildlife from feeders?

Try yelling or tossing ice instead - or just put out enough for everyone
who wants to come visit. I experimented with using the laser pointer to
confuse and chase away eastern grey squirrels (long-haired grey day
rats) and it scared them, once. After that it was like "Oh, that thing
again." As for the cruelty issue - I grew up on a farm and I have no
trouble exterminating pests in a humane manner, blinding them is not
part of that package. Actually now I have a couple of Douglas Squirrels
at my feeders and they guard them from the greys like little pit bulls -
quite entertaining to see the pipsqueaks beat up on the big bad bullies
- but I'm not sure this is typical.

3) Are there good uses for these things for birders? OH YES!! Anyone
who birds with others should have one of these. It is a hell of a lot
easier to shine the light on the ground and then follow the beam as
someone moves it to point at that "saw-whet in the 4th fir tree in the
mixed grove of conifers on the right-past the rocks in the middle of the
creek-the ones that look like a nestful of eggs missing one on the
left-about half way out on that branch that looks like a dog lifting its
leg - right where there's no bark on the top but on the bottom".

Laser pointer on, point to ground, follow beam as it is moved across
surfaces to right next to that bird. A thing of beauty and an end to
major frustrations. Yes the beam is visible in full daylight on a
surface 1000 or more feet away (with optics at that distance of course).

Where can I get one of these things?

Cheap ones are best had at discount stores like K-Mart or Target.
Target carries them in the auto department. Some $15 models come with
several lenses, a level and other toys.

Have fun!

Rob Conway
Bellevue, WA

robin_birder at hotmail.com

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