It's amusing to hear the bilge again about protecting birds by
withholding information on sightings. Of course those who went to
observe the birds didn't disturb them in the least, did they? And
they're only protecting the birds from the rest of us Tweets who --
unlike themselves -- are uncouth and harrass birds. And the sincere
protective tone of most of these reports suggests these folks see
themselves as something like a priestly class of birders, privy to where
the birds they see are located, lording it over the rest of us Tweets
who as mere acolytes aren't allowed in the inner sanctum. The only
ethical way to handle a secret sighting is to not report it at all.


Paul Webster
paul.webster at attbi.com


>
> 1) Great Grays and postings
> by "MARK BILTZ" <vickibiltz at msn.com>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject:
>
> Great Grays and postings
> From:
>
> "MARK BILTZ" <vickibiltz at msn.com>
> Date:
>
> Wed, 26 Jun 2002 03:56:17 -0700
> To:
>
> "tweeters post" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
>
>
> Tweeters,
>
> First I want to thank Charlie for finding these birds. In my
> observation Tuesday, around 12 noon I was there for quite a while,
> they were flying freely, and very approachable, and I question there
> being more than one nesting pair. I have many of my bird books packed,
> I am going to Kansas for a month to care for my father-in-law who is
> terminally ill. So I do hope someone, who knows more than I do; does
> address the issue of their nesting range, as well as the rarity of
> these birds; and the need for caution concerning posting exact
> locations. I had no intention of doing more than personally thanking
> Charlie for the information that he requested I not post on Tweeters.
>
> It is important that we share information on birds. But we also need
> to protect them, and tweeters is open for ALL to read. Private answers
> of where the birds are, can be distributed personally to names you are
> familiar with, and those you feel will proceed with caution.
>
> I was alone when I went to see the birds. One parent came so
> close to me, I couldn't believe it, delivering a large rodent to the
> larger of the owlets. She (or he) didn't even make eye contact, which
> was quite disappointing to me. I was however able to watch her
> hunting, and flying around, never giving a moments notice of human
> intrusion. This is their nature, and makes them vulnerable. But the
> babies watched me, and made lots of noise with utter abandon. They
> also followed the parent around.
>
> In looking at the bird photos Charlie posted, I do believe they are
> the same age, and probably the same brood. I could only find the
> pair, and one parent nearby, and I was up there quite a long while
> myself. I also checked further down the ridge, starting there first.
> The only info I found on range was published in 1960 or something, and
> states the range on only one square mile, but I doubt that is true.
>
> I know I will have someone mad at me again, but that is the way it
> goes. In the morning I will post my other trip which includes Pine
> Grosbeak, and lots of Chukar, information on my 2 1/2 day trip is
> still in the car. Vicki Biltz Bonney Lake Wa vickibiltz at msn.com
> <mailto:vickibiltz at msn.com>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>