[mou] Constructive information on seeing the YB Chat

[Mike Hendrickson]

I use tapes as do most bird guides, field trip leaders and other birders who venture in the field to view birds.  I mostly use tapes in the winter to get Boreal Chickadees out near the road but next week I will be using tapes a lot for the next week and half on warblers, sparrows and other birds when I visit Manitoba/Churchill.

Can anyone reply on this listserv any scientific papers that prove that using tapes chases birds away, ruins nesting chances, make male birds leave their territory and ect.. I would like to read any scientific papers that using recordings do in deed causes all this damage to birds.  I heard there are no papers to prove that suing bird recordings causes problems.  I would like to know for sure if there is some proof out there.

I would like to see the "Myth Busters" on cable TV work on this subject of bird recordings.


Michael Hendrickson
Duluth, Minnesota
Lake Superior Boat Trips
http://webpages.charter.net/mmhendrickson/
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jason Bolish 
  To: mou-net at moumn.org 
  Sent: Sunday, June 03, 2007 7:49 AM
  Subject: [mou] Constructive information on seeing the YB Chat


  Wow.  I guess someone hit a nerve!  Keep in mind that 99% of listserve members probably didn't send you any scornful emails so we shouldn't be subject to that trash.  I am responding only to what I saw personally on the trail yesterday.

  1.  I was there for a total of about 2 hours.  The Chat would go back & forth between the 2 towers singing loudly, and occasionaly showing itself.  When more people showed up in that area, the bird quieted down a bit.  When people showing up were wearing white shirts, the bird disappeared.  C'mon people, green trail, white shirts, what do you think is gonna happen?  Don't get me wrong, I like seeing as many people as possible on the trail.  Just keep in mind you're trying to make it so the bird can't see you.  After other people left I waited a couple minutes & the bird was singing loudly again.  

  2.  This bird is easy, I repeat EASY to find without recordings so why, why WHY put the ability for others to see this bird in jeopardy by playing a recording??  If there's even a smidgeon of a chance this will scare the bird away, why take that chance?  I picture the Chats heading north now because they think that the Fen is already taken by all these other Chats they are hearing.

  3. If everyone has common sense & courtesy everyone can successfully hear & see the bird.  I have seen this bird & hope everyone in the MOU gets to see it.  People have been sighting Chats long before they made bird recordings.  While it is you're right to play them, you are telling everyone else on the trail 'I want to see this bird & I don't care about the consequences.'

  4. I invite anyone & everyone to respond to this post.  Even if it is to blast me with scornful reactions ;)  Let's work together!!

  Jason Bolish
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