I agree, it's not the birders, it's the straight-up photographers who cause
the issues. I saw the dogs out running last year as well and it ticked me
off. I wish there were a way for local park officials to declare the area
"off limits" to off-path humans and other animals for the duration of the
Snowies' stay. Last year, of course, it was a new thing, and they weren't
prepared, but this year we all know better, and if it ends up being an
annual thing for a while, some kind of structure ought to be set in place
to protect our wonderful birds!

Best,
Susan Littlefield
Renton WA


On Tue, Feb 12, 2013 at 8:35 AM, vickibiltz <vickibiltz at gmail.com> wrote:

> I have to say concerning photographers that it is usually the ones who are
> not birders, that stress the birds. They don't have the patience to sit and
> wait.
> When I have seen the stalking behavior of these people, I find they know
> nothing about birds. If someone is a birder, naturalist, conservationist
> FIRST, it is a much different story. Time and again, I have told others
> the birds are exhausted, but it has little affect.
> Regular hikers and dog owners are a huge issue for these birds. Last
> week at Damon Point, there were huskies running loose with owners. When I
> got out to where the owls were the footprints were all over the place. I
> would love a leash law where the land opens up. As I was walking back to
> my car from spending time with my only subject, I did encounter a couple
> with binos and a large mixed breed dog. They asked where the birds were.
> Okay, I have to confess, I LIED.
>
> Vicki Biltz
> Bonney Lake WA
> vickibiltz at gmail.com.
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