Subject: Bentsen RGV
Date: Nov 16 22:05:12 2001
From: Mike Patterson - celata at pacifier.com


You know, I had a decidedly negative experience at Bentsen
precisely because of the gathering aspect of the place.
There was a Clay-colored Robin skulking about the campground
when I was there. Everytime it would start to sing, this big
mob of people would noisily trundle off toward the song and
the bird would go into hiding.

My wife and I cut short our visit there and went back to
Santa Ana where the pace of things was a bit more relaxed.

That said, I think that all birders have different tastes
and if one prunes out all the Bentsen-type experiences, a
unique and probably important aspect of birder culture gets
lost.

I would also be wary of the motivations for this sudden
interest in rehabilitating places that are already largely
protected. It makes me wonder what is in store for all
the surrounding areas....



Steven Mlodinow wrote:
>
> Greetings All
>
> Well, Bentsen is already the most visited bird spot in the Valley. If
> they
> think these changes will increase visitation, I think they will be most
> surprised. Also, virtually all the human activity is (was) quite
> concentrated in a small area there. Now, it will likely be more dispersed.
>
> But what I will really miss is the gathering aspect. All those birders,
> novice and expert, gathered around the trailers. Yeah, at times it was
> noisy.
> But, there was no place like it. A spot to meet and hang out among bouts
> of
> more serious birding. As Hugh said, for quiet reflection, there are
> trails at
> Santa Ana, Laguna Atascosa, Sabal Palm and many other places. I am sure
> that
> these changes at Bentsen will negatively impact birders, and I am sure
> that
> the number of visitors will drop.
>
> As for the birds, maybe there will be some small benefit, but the
> addition of
> these few acres (the part of Bentsen dedicated to camping) to the
> thousands
> of acres of native habitat along the Rio Grande Trail seems trivial.
>
> Alas
>
> Steven Mlodinow
> SGMlod at aol.com
> Everett WA
>


--
Mike Patterson When I despair, I remember
Astoria, OR that all through history
celata at pacifier.com the way of truth and love have always won.
There have been tyrants, and murderers,
and for a time they can seem invincible,
but in the end they always fall.
Think of it...always.
- Mahatma Gandhi

http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html