This is really too bad, as I had hoped to see the bunting this weekend.

Is it possible that all the birders coming to see the bird, in
essence, pointed it out to prospective predators? There has been a
lot said about the potential negative impacts of photographers on
Snowy Owls (without much evidence, I might add). Is it possible that
we birders have a much bigger negative impact upon birds? I know
that by feeding birds, I have knowingly concentrated seed-eating
birds as prey for the Merlins, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Cooper's
Hawks that frequent my area. I have had many small birds killed by
my windows. I see the occasional sick Siskin at my feeder, probably
made sick by contaminated feeders at my house or a neighbor's house.
Those of us who drive long distances to see birds (I certainly do
this too), are using gas and oil that impact the planet in all sorts
of ways.

The truth is, we all have impacts in all sorts of known and unknown
ways. But I still wanted to see that bunting ...

Lee Rentz
Shelton, WA
lee at leerentz.com