I read the report of the hate displayed during a CBC with amazement that people wanted to force their personal feelings or beliefs on others during an event that brings so many people together for a common goal. I became active in Audubon and the birding community in the early 1970's and never felt any discrimination from other birders despite my being a blue collar long haired Hippie, (now retired and nearly hairless). Everyone I met in the field were welcoming and very helpful in a time when there was a dearth of learning opportunities compared to with what is available today. I wish to thank all of the good people out there that are standing up for acceptance and diversity in our birding community. Wilson Cady
Columbia River Gorge, WA

---------- Original Message ----------
From: sremse at comcast.net
To: TWEETERS <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Tweeters] Re: Birding Etiquette
Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2018 18:41:44 +0000 (UTC)


It's unfortunate the people were subjected to the bigotry after their pleasant bird count. I've faced a more subtle form of prejudice over and over from the birding community. People discount my sightings/input when they discover I'm a blue collar worker. Having risen (twice) to the presidency of a local Audubon chapter makes me almost as rare as an Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Once I was told I should leave a committee because of my lack of college degree (thankfully this has been the exception and not the norm) . I hope all of you are sitting down: a Varied Thrush or Marbled Murrelet doesn't care how many pieces of paper are tacked to your wall. All should be welcome in the birding community. I don't wish to prolong this subject but perhaps some folks can learn and grow a bit.P.S.- A female Northern Harrier is currently perched outside my office window----Steve Ellissremse at comcast.netCoupeville, Wa