Birders
This weekend's Carden Nature Festival helps focus how birders can
interact with the local community and help maintain a wonderful natural
environment.
One of many special birds found around Carden and Eldon Townships is the
Loggerhead Shrike. An active recovery program for Loggerhead Shrike
continues through the district. Wildlife Preservation Canada runs the
program and would like to hear of your observations. The contact is
Wildlife Preservation Canada
Tel: 519-836-9314 (you can speak to anyone there)
Email: [email protected]
While endangered species are a special case in point. Care should always
be taken when viewing or documenting breeding birds.
We should be aware of the potential dangers of reporting the location of
birds on breeding territories. None of us wants to be responsible for
causing a bird to abandon a nest or breeding attempt because of disturbance.
Ontbirds Guidelines http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php are
explicit do not report endangered species on breeding territory unless
the bird can be seen by meeting the following criteria:
* from a public location (roadside, established path or trail in a
conservation area or park or similar);
* at a safe distance for the birds (at least 20m/ 60ft); and
* safely for the watchers (e.g. roadsides must have shoulders wide
enough to accommodate cars and people without making them vulnerable to
oncoming traffic, etc.).
* if on private property where the landowner has given explicit
permission for birders to visit.
Respect for private property is very big component Release and recovery
researchers need access and landowner cooperation. Anything that might
jeopardize local goodwill is wrong. There are plenty of existing
photographs of Shrikes and documentation is absolutely not a reason to
cross into private property without permission from the landowner. There
are many good reasons for well maintained fences, cattle that benefit
shrike habitat is one. So think before you act.
If there is even the slightest doubt about posting to Ontbirds contact
me or the people at Wildlife Preservation Canada first and discuss the
situation.
Thank you for your cooperation and attention to what should be a non-issue.
--
Mark Cranford
ONTBIRDS Coordinator
Mississauga, Ont.
[email protected]
905 279 9576
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
