This is confirmation that it's those running our government that are the
real terrorists.

Stewart Wechsler
ecostewart at quidnunc.net

-----Original Message-----
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Fran Wood m
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 11:25 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: HEADS UP! while birding the Niagra River


>
>
I don't subscribe to GeneseeBirds, but this was forwarded to me by a WNY
birder.
Fran Wood (male), Seattle (Madrona)
Original Message -----
> >From: "Willie D'Anna & Betsy Potter" <dannapotter at wzrd.com>
> >To: "Willie D'Anna & Betsy Potter" <dannapotter at wzrd.com>; "NYSBirds"
> ><nysbirds-l at cornell.edu>; "OntBirds" <ontbirds at hwcn.org>; "Geneseebirds"
> ><geneseebirds-l at geneseo.edu>
> >Sent: Saturday, January 03, 2004 7:46 PM
> >Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] Birding the Niagara River - HEADS UP!
If you are planning to bird the Niagara River on the American side then
You need to read this. NOTE: this is not a joke!
Today, Dean DiTommaso and I walked Bird Island Pier in Buffalo, in
Search of the recently reported Willet. Bird Island Pier starts at Squaw
Island and runs south, parallel to the NY shore and 200 yards out. It
crosses under the Peace Bridge (the bridge between the US and Canada) and
continues for a total one-way length of about 1.5 to 2 miles. We were a
little beyond the very end of the pier, studying the Willet for some five
minutes, when three Buffalo Police Officers walked up to the end of the
pier. One drew his gun and shouted to us, "Put your hands in the air and
walk slowly toward us!"
He then repeated his demand. We left our scopes where they were and did as
ordered. Apparently, someone reported that two people were filming the
Peace Bridge. Obviously, we were not but is that a crime? (Rhetorical
question.) We eased their concerns very quickly after providing ID and
telling them what we were doing. Nevertheless, they told us that we had to
go back to the beginning of the pier with them because there were people
there who wanted to talk to us. Upon returning to the start of the pier, we
noticed about 8 vehicles, mostly Buffalo P.D. but also the Border Patrol and
perhaps some unmarked vehicles. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard was patrolling
the water keeping an eye on us during the entire affair. All told, there
were probably 15 law enforcement personnel involved. We were also told that
the FBI was on the way. After waiting some 45 more minutes, they requested
to search my vehicle. Since I wanted to get out of there and continue
birding on this fine weather day, I let them. Finally, they decided we
could go. But first, we had to go through the TV interview - Channel 7.
The Border Patrol gave me a card, suggesting that birders phone them
when they are going to be out on the pier or anywhere near one of the
international bridges. Obviously, you don't have to do this since you
have every right to bird but it could save you some hassle. (It's the
scopes that make them nervous.) Here are the numbers:
Border Patrol:
Local - (716) 447-3942
Toll-free - (800) 331-0353
Email - BPBuffalo at dhs.gov


Good birding!
Willie
--------------
Willie D'Anna
Betsy Potter
Niagara Falls, N.Y.
dannapotter at wzrd.com
_______________________________________________

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