Tom -
Thank you for taking the time to reveal this disturbing news.
"Hot spots," such as the current situation at Red Rocks, can be
"overbirded." With so many birders at one spot, a few can make it bad for
all, now and in the future. Or the sheer number of birders can overwhelm an
area, such as the case with the lapwing in Maryland a few years ago, where
homeowners got "fed up" with the disturbance.
As a counter to this problem at Red Rocks, besides behavioral change, I
suggest patronizing the restaurant for coffee, etc. This won't fully
counter rude behavior, but will be a positive in our interactions with the
site.
When the blue mockingbird was at Cave Creek Ranch in Portal, Az, about 15
years ago, the owners of that guest ranch, dependent on birder business,
noted that almost no one who visited the bird stayed at the ranch.
On the counter (good) side, we have the amazing hospitality and convenience
during the streak-backed oriole's stay, and the fortunately open space and
welcoming of the neighbors of the snowy owl.
As an added note re. an associated problem: (not noted by me in Colorado,
but reported often in Arizona) Photographers "push" or otherwise disturb
birds (sleeping owls) to get their photos..."Some birders are more equal
than others."
Karl Stecher
Centennial
Tom P writes:
Sorry to send an email like this with a shocking title, but it is not meant
for shock value; it is meant hopefully as a wake up call to an unfortunate
reputation birders have developed with the staff at Red Rocks.
I had quite a surprise this afternoon upon making casual conversation with
the lady at the Trading Post cafe. I said, "So, it must be nice having all
of these birders come in and give you business." Expecting a nice reply,
she stated flatly, "No. And as a matter of fact, we are getting annoyed
with them." I stopped dead in my tracks and my eyes got suddenly very wide.
She continued to tell me how birders have been coming in and harassing the
other non-birders who also use the area for viewing and family recreation.
She told me they are hushing people and getting mad for them [moving around]
and being in the vicinity. It got so bad this morning with 2 "older,
grouchy" birders in fact that she finally had to say something after they
got after some kids who were just running around having fun.
She is also not the first cafe clerk to react negatively to birders. I used
the same line to a different young lady three weeks ago, about birders
coming in and increasing business -- she just rolled her eyes a little,
shrugged her shoulders and said nothing more. At the time I didn't question
her further, thinking it may have just one individual' bad experience; but
after the conversation I had with the clerk today, it prompted me to write
this email.
Please, it's important to remember that Red Rocks Trading Post does not have
any kind of rule that gives priority to birders. Being quiet and not
walking around by the birds are birder-rules; we are expected to share with
everyone who uses the area and there is no reason the non-birders have to
follow the birder-rules [of etiquette].
Sorry about the long email, but please consider the privelege that we have
of putting feeders up and seed out for all of these amazing birds. If you
see a fellow birder shooshing or harassing non-birders for making noise,
walking past the birds, etc., please remind them we, as birders, are not *
entitled* to this area and that it is a privelege to use in this fashion.
And please consider patronizing the cafe and being polite to the staff. No,
nothing says you have to buy a coffee or be polite & friendly to the Trading
Post workers, but consider the possible consequences of continuing with the
poor reputation we have there.... What would stop having enough of the staff
complain, resulting in the feeders being taken down and having us barred
from putting seed out? .... If you don't believe me, I encourage you to ask
one of the Red Rocks Trading Post employees yourself about the reputation of
birders among those who work there.
Thanks for listening.
Tom Pollock
Aurora,CO
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