Subject: [Tweeters] Bird Banding and Playing Recordings
Date: Jun 25 21:36:02 2012
From: lized01 at comcast.net - lized01 at comcast.net


Hi Tweeters: I really hope someone responds to the righteous pleas from Don Wallace to remove the bands that are injuring the beautiful dippers he chronicles. At some point, science must sometimes give way to compassion. There's got to be a bander who realizes killing the test subjects defeats the purpose, which is supposed to be bird conservation.

I think birders should follow the same oath doctors do: "First, do no harm."

On that point, and at the risk if igniting a firestorm, I beg all of my fellow birders to leave the ipods at home. I love to bird by ear, but it's distressing to read so many Tweeters posts where people mention the frequent use of birdsong recordings. I do not use the recordings to call birds in the field. I use them to learn the songs. I have never seen a poorwill, but it's on my life list because I know the song and have heard it. It'd be nice to see one, but the song tells me the poorwill is there. That's enough.

Remember, the birds we love so much are in a daily struggle to survive. Each time a birder comes along and plays a recording, the bird undergoes stress while it investigates the intruder. Using the recordings distracts the birds from feeding and can even expose them to predators. That is especially true when calling out small owls in the presence of great horned owls.

I know the excitement of seeing a bird for the first time, and how much we want that. But the simple use of patience has brought me many a bird, in due time, without the intrusive use of recordings.

Liz Brown
Pilchuck Audubon member
Edmonds, Wash.