Many Canadian and American birders have expressed concerns about the
safety of the Razorbill on the Niagara River where it flows into Lake
Ontario. The last day of the duck hunting season on the New York side
of the border is this Sunday, January 7. The duck hunting season is
now closed in Ontario. We thought the duck hunters in the area should
be notified about the Razorbill and asked not to shoot in its
direction when hunting ducks. Today, we on behalf of OFO, and other
birders in Ontario and New York contacted the New York State
Department of Environment Conservation (DEC) because the state
government regulates the activities of hunters. We also contacted the
Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) because the Razorbill is a federally
protected bird in Canada and the United States. The CWS said it would
contact its counterpart, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service,
indicating concern for the Razorbill. All government agencies have
been very helpful. Kayo Roy told us that the DEC in New York has
notified all outfitters who deal with hunters telling them about the
presence of the Razorbill at the outlet of the Niagara River. The US
Coast Guard is also aware of the Razorbill. We feel that public
relations and cooperation are the best ways to avoid a mishap to the
Razorbill. Please report all sightings of the Razorbill to Ontbirds
with times and locations so that it can be tracked.
DO NOT REPLY TO ONTBIRDS. If you want more information or have
comments, please contact us directly.
Acknowledgements: The following birders were involved: John Black,
Willie D'Anna, Betsy Potter and Kayo Roy. We thank the many others
who acted on their own out of concern for the Razorbill.
Jean Iron & Ron Pittaway
Ontario Field Ornithologists
Toronto ON
416-445-9297
www.ofo.ca
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
