Concerning the debate over capturing the Iceland I have the following
question? Since its (or any other unusual bird) is out of place, where and
when is the appropriate time for a release? The natural course of action for
resident birds cannot be followed here IMO. Will the rehabber know to put it
back in the same area (does it even mattter?)? And what about the appropriate
time? Since we know quite a bit about regularly occurring birds, a release
can be done that is beneficial to the bird. However it is not understood why
a bird like an Iceland strayed off course and choose to land in Tacoma or
when is the appropriate time to leave? Some of these vagrants stay only a
couple of weeks in the winter while others overwinter. So my ultimate
question is: If the bird's best interest is in mind, how does one preform a
successful release on a bird that we don't know why its here?
Thanks,

Scott Downes
sgd24 at aol.com
Seattle WA

To identify a species should not be enough to quench one's thirst,
a proper thirst must seek to understand every facet of the bird's
existence.