The trouble with trying to define what is in the best interests of birds is
that we don't really have an understanding of the big picture and probably
never will. Does calling out a bird harm it? How many times would you have
to do it before it became detrimental? Are large groups of birders a problem
for birds? Do birds leave an area prematurely because of intrusions by too
many people? This is similar to the arguments about bird feeders, there are
no clear answers and we simply have to let our own conscience guide our
personal behaviors and, if we care about birds, behave in ways that we
believe do not inadvertently harm them.

Rob Sandelin
Naturalist, Writer, Teacher
Snohomish County