Both times I viewed and then photographed the bird, the only ones
feeding it were neither birders nor bird - photographers.
This bird seems to be managing fine in his unexpected habitat, and who's
to say that human intervention in his case wouldn't do more harm than
good. Just trying to capture it could injure it. The licensed rehabbers
just make sure a bird can fend for itself and release it in a park.
Just like some bleeding heart human who decided the turkey that was
doing fine in Central Park was cold and needed to be captured, why do we
always think that human intervention is by definition better. The only
thing I would worry about is if some hawk gets him, and that could
happen anywhere.
If the bird isn't happy where it is, presumably it will fly off. What
would be interesting is to see what finally motivates it to go, if at
all (cold weather, leaves dropping from the trees?). The Scott's Oriole
got fed by humans all winter in and around Union Square Park and didn't
leave until April. If this bird becomes injured, that will be a
different story, and by all means, it should be held and fed the usual
meal worms until it's better.
Now, if you want to drive it to a swamp somewhere in the south, maybe
around April sometime, and perhaps introduce it to another PRWA - maybe
do a little matchmaking while you're at it, that might be doing it a favor.
Ardith Bondi
On 10/25/10 5:25 PM, david speiser wrote:
The bird is staying around(possibly 3-4 weeks) because people are
feeding it. This bird is not acting like a wild bird anymore, more like
a house sparrow.
The two days I went, random non-birders were feeding it, bologna , bread
etc... They think its a canary.
Whether a birder or photographer feeds the PRWA that's a different
matter. Ultimately, the long term prognosis for this bird probably is
not good unless a rehabber picks it up, feeds it properly and releases
it away from one of the busiest spots in NYC.
David Speiser
www.lilibirds.com
> From: phil.jeff...@gmail.com
> Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:14:20 -0400
> Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Prothonotary Warbler-my experience
> To: dri...@yahoo.com
> CC: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu
>
> Everyone is *not* doing it, and in instances like this I think it
> could be helpful to figure out who the photographer is.
>
> Phil Jeffrey
>
> On Mon, Oct 25, 2010 at 4:32 PM, drilbu <dri...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > I just returned from viewing the Warbler at the NYPL.
> > I was very annoyed to witness a photographer feeding the bird pieces of
> > bread to tease it out from behind the bushes. When I confronted the
> > photographer, he said to me, everyone is doing it.
> >
> > Whether everyone was doing it or not, it is wrong and in no way
justifies
> > his action.
> > I think as people who love and respect wildlife we should speak out
when we
> > see endangering migratory
> > birds by feeding them.
> >
> > Shari Zirlin
>
> --
>
> NYSbirds-L List Info:
> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
>
> ARCHIVES:
> 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
> 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html
> 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
>
> Please submit your observations to eBird:
> http://ebird.org/content/ebird/
>
> --
>
--
NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html
3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/
--
