[mou] A comment on those Boreal Owl inquiries

[Jim Williams]

Forward by Jim Williams, Wayzata

Begin forwarded message:

From: Dave DeReamus <becard@FAST.NET>
Date: December 3, 2004 12:46:20 AM CST
To: BIRDCHAT@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Subject: [BIRDCHAT] Fw: MN/Duluth RBA - December 2, 2004
Reply-To: Dave DeReamus <becard@FAST.NET>

Hi all,

I read this and did a double-take.  Note the part in parentheses.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Minn. Ornith. Union David Cahlander" <dac@CBS.UMN.EDU>

> -RBA
> *Minnesota
> *Duluth/North Shore
> *December 2, 2004
>
> Over 300 BOREAL OWLS have been banded in northeastern Minnesota this
> fall, another astounding number. However, these were all birds that
> were netted at night, banded, and released immediately. I am aware of
> no other sightings of this species. Quite a few observers have written
> to me to ask (and in some cases, demand) that I 'fess up about where
> the boreals are. If a stake-out bird of this species is located, it
> will be reported as soon as possible.
==============================

Is that crazy or what?  At first, I couldn't believe it, but then I 
thought
about some of the situations that I've been put in in the past (rare 
birds
on private property, etc.) and realized that it's becoming more and more
expected, even if it is ridiculous for a birder(?) to act that way when 
they
can't get to see a particular bird.  What's next----personal threats 
made to
the compiler if he doesn't "fess up"?

As far as I'm concerned, any so-called birder who "demands" to know 
where a
bird is should NEVER be told about ANY rare sightings since it's obvious
that this person would do whatever it takes to see the bird.

OK, I'm done venting now.

Good Birding,

Dave DeReamus
Compiler of the 'Eastern PA Birdline'
Easton, PA
becard@fast.net
Eastern PA Birding Website:  
http://www.users.fast.net/~becard/index.html

BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html