Eugene,

I have to agree with your point.

I think that the "actions" of most birders (and I am in this category) is
pretty much limited to the enjoyment of observing birds and the natural
environment.

But I know a few birders, who not only are out bird watching, but who fight
for the preservation of the natural environment by sitting through painfully
long Planning Commission meetings in order to voice their opinion; who wade
through tedious comprehensive land use plans and ordinances and then send
letters of response; and who publically put their opinion on the line by
sending letters to the editor.

The birders who make a difference, are without question, those who are
active in environmental causes. R/Steve Rothboeck


>From: Eugene Kridler <ekridler at olympus.net>
>Reply-To: ekridler at olympus.net
>To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
>Subject: Re: Bird Extinction
>Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 11:52:12 -0600
>
>If the shoe fits, wear it. You will note I qualified my statement by saying
>"most. not all". I'll stack my 60 years of wildlife observations to Mr.
>Chelimer's almost 50 years. 50 leading tours of professional
>ornithologists,
>college classes, high school classes, general birding groups, etc.. as a
>professional wildlife biologist. I've seen them all. But how many face
>developers, politicians, etc. and give support to efforts to save wildlife
>AND
>habitat. A few but not enough. Not enough.
>
>I remember leading a group at the Sacramento N.W.R. in the late 50's. We
>saw a
>Starling. Many members of the group chased the bird a half mile down the
>creek
>just so they could add a Starling to the life list. I toldthem they'd soon
>have
>Starlings up to their armpits.
>
>The tenor of my brief article was to stimulate some action to give support
>to
>state, federal, private agencies in their efforts to further the welfare of
>all
>wildlife - creatures large and small. Not to insult people "personally".
>
> > E. Kridler
> > It is not clear whether this bold statement is from the article Mr.
>Kridler
> > cites, or if it a personal observation of his. In either case, I think
>it
> > calls for some evidence backing it up. In almost fifty years of birding,
>it
> > has constantly pleased me that, almost without exception, other birders
>have
> > shown great understanding of and respect for wildlife in particular, and
> > for nature in general. Sure, I've met some greedy people interested
>solely
> > in their lists, but happily they've been a minuscule percentage of the
> > birders I've come to know.
> >
> > As a "Mainland birder" I resent being characterized as thoughtless,
>greedy,
> > and doing nothing for the welfare of wildlife, whether it be in Hawaii
>or
> > anywhere else. Perhaps the author ought to stick to writing about that
> > which bears some resemblance to fact.
> >
> > David Chelimer
> > Seattle
> > chelimer at earthlink.net
>
>
>

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