This note comes to you at the end of a conversation of which you were not a part (unless you subscribe to Birdchat). But the main point made here is quite clear nonetheless. It is worth reading. Jim Williams Wayzata, Minnesota
Begin forwarded message: From: Jeff Bouton <[email protected]> Date: August 18, 2005 5:52:05 PM CDT To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [BIRDCHAT] Imprinting? Reply-To: Jeff Bouton <[email protected]> Barry and all, For the record, I'm not anti-rehab despite my tone. I was stirring it up a bit to make a point and hopefully make people see a different side to things. That is why I began that tangent (the only way you could describe it) with, "To play Devil's advocate..." My point is that while we are moved into action when we see an injured bird flopping roadside, we are often unmoved (even oblivious) by the bulldozers and "For Sale" signs that have preceded it. Another classic example was the whole Red-tailed Hawk fiasco in Central Park. Yes, I know they have names (Lola and Pale Male) but the whole thing was amazing to me. Here we had one of the most ubiquitous raptors in North America, we selected two members of this group and named them, and the entire world stopped for a week to take notice. We had dignitaries, actresses, models, activists, and reporters across the board all mezmerized over a pair of birds that weren't really in any danger at all. It was all over a stick nest, which the birds would have clearly rebuilt somewhere else..... It happens every day in nature. Nests blow down, birds build a new one.... no big deal! Don't get me wrong I'm glad for the victory, just saddened because during that same week the bulldozers rang a death knell for thousands of birds country wide and not a thing was said or written about it. When I first started birding 20 years ago, I remember going to a place like Cape May and hearing the old timers complaining, "It ain't like it used to be!.." To which I'd smirk and think, "...the guy must be blind and deaf too!... How could it be better than this..." seeing 25-30 species of warblers pounding through the trees daily even with just an early morning jaunt. Now I find myself as one of those old guys (even at the ripe old age of 38) thinking, "My God, where have the birds gone!..." When I first visited the shores of Delaware Bay in spring 1987, I'd seen Red Knots so thick that sand was not visible between them. This year at the same places at the same time of year I had a hard time finding even a small group at peak season visiting all of the accessible beaches! It wasn't that I was too early or late, it's just that the birds aren't there any more. Rumors of the Eastern Red Knot being all but extinct in less than a decade are now running rampant. To all of the men and women out there working at rehabilitation centers, I understand it is a labor of love, it is mostly volunteer based, and my hat's off to you. I fully understand, what is required, and that your desire is heartfelt. My tangent was an opportunity to stir up some interesting commentary and hopefully get people thinking more about the big picture. Good Birding, Jeff Bouton Port Charlotte, FL __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
