Tweets,
As Gene, Dennis and Wayne have commented on my post in terms of questioning why these species are on the list, it appears that the point of my post was missed. My post was NOT advocating that Species of Concern should be avoiding when using Ipod or advocating that this was a "off limits list". If somebody took that message from my post, then I'm sorry I didn't get the point accross. My post was to point out that too often the ABA code of ethics gets thrown around and I don't think people really have thought through all the aspects of when they say "follow the ABA code of ethics". As I quoted in my previous post, the ABA code says "Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and never use such methods in heavily birded areas, or for attracting any species that is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concern, or is rare in your local area". I underlined the word never as the code is fairly clear on this. So if you were to play tapes to any of the species I listed, technically you'd be going against the ABA code. I tend to believe that most species (with the exception of T&E species) can tolerate some Ipod playing in moderation and that madoeration should be increased during breeding season and for "species of concern". Thus it might be just fine to play a tape briefly for a sage sparrow in March (I have done it myself) but do it brief and if you don't get good views, then oh well. Thus my post was more food for thought, i.e. in accepting the ABA code are people aware that they are also agreeing to not call in species of concern. So, perhaps a more thorough examination of the ABA code is warranted if people believe that limited calling to many of these species is ok.

I hope this final post helps to clarify my earlier post on the subject. If people believe that there is strong evidence against a species status as Wayne, Gene and Dennis seem to do on PIWO, I would suggest working with WDFW staff (or at least contacting them).

Scott Downes
downess at charter.net
Yakima WA