In a message dated 1/25/2005 9:06:16 PM Pacific Standard Time,
contopus at telus.net writes:

> So if there is a "Dusky Thrush Syndrome" (I've never heard the term
> used in Vancouver-- you must have invented it, Joe), it just means
> that people with a very rare bird on their property can expect a lot
> of attention from birders for an unknown period of time-- not that
> birders are going to "ignore all birdwatching ethics and common
> courtesies". That does happen, but it tends to be fairly rare.

Wayne, et al

I did, indeed, "invent" the phrase, and I use it whenever I receive queries
from individuals who have rare/uncommon birds on their property. Apparently,
the word is out that "their bird" might attract crowds and these folks need to
know that they have options and no written-in-stone obligation to allow
strangers access to their property.

A Hooded Oriole in Bellingham and the recurring Great Gray Owl in north
Whatcom County are two examples of this scenario, where the property owner
specifically requested that the location not be identified. Even in the best-case
scenarios, some people would just rather not have company.

No harm, no foul.

Cheers,
Joe Meche
Editor, the Avalanche / Birding Programs Coordinator
North Cascades Audubon
Bellingham, WA