[mou] "Assuming" can get you somewhere you don't want to be

Sun Nov 11 20:14:49 CST 2007

I was "flat-out rude"?  You are joking right?  Since when is saying Shame on you or caring that a bird was driven off rude?

If that was perceived as rude I apologize.

“Please use common sense when you approach birds.” WHAT the H-E-double-toothpicks is that? If you don’t know the bird is there, and if you are walking along minding your own business in a public park"

I never said I had an issue with someone walking around and accidentally spooking a bird because they did not know it was there.

Where did you get that idea?

If the MOU would like me to step down as a moderator so be it.  If that is the case Holly Peirson can take my place and I challenge her to keep a level head when it comes to being attacked on the list or in private for decisions you make as a moderator.

I get no benefit from moderating the list and will gladly give it up.

Terry Brashear
Hennepin County, MN
http://www.naturepixels.com
birdnird AT yahoo.com

----- Original Message ----
From: Holly Peirson <hpbirdscouter at msn.com>
To: mou-net at moumn.org
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 7:25:13 PM
Subject: [mou] "Assuming" can get you somewhere you don't want to be

        <!--   /* Style Definitions */  p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal 	{margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink 	{color:blue;text-decoration:underline;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed 	{color:blue;text-decoration:underline;} p 	{margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";} span.EmailStyle18 	{font-family:Arial;color:navy;}  _filtered {margin:1.25in .7in .5in .7in;} div.Section1 	{} -->       Ok, Ok, I’ll bite. You both are making assumptions but have you considered…? I’m coming upon these posts today, have not even thought about going to see this bird because I’m too busy (sorry, Bob Holtz!), have no idea where it is, etc etc.

   All that said:

   So, there is a bird in a staked out location. Is it there all the time? That in itself is an assumption… Otherwise, how might the bird be eating? It would have to move now and then or go hungry… 

   Of course, if the watchers were keeping it from moving to keep hidden, that would be not an assumption but an intrusion…

   If there were people there at 9:00 who were shown the bird, and it was watched until 10:00, we can’t assume that there was anyone (including the bird) there at 11:30 for this person to see -- or to miss because it wasn’t moving. 

   She then walked around this park until 2:00 PM before coming upon a crow worrying an owl… But she didn’t see the owl until the crow left and then it moved. I’m SURE ALL of us have been in that place…

   So, therefore:

   I take issue with Mr. Brashear’s first post, it was flat-out rude. This new one is no apology. This is the type of post (from said “list moderator,” no less) that turns people away from being on this listserv. I know people who will NOT come onto this listserv or put sitings on it because they don’t want to get “eaten alive,” (their words). I have put sitings and other information on this listserv since sometime in the ‘90s, but every time I miss a word or say something in an unclear manner, I get people writing to correct me. If I was less brave or careful in my research before I post, I wouldn’t still be here...  “Please use common sense when you approach birds.” WHAT the H-E-double-toothpicks is that? If you don’t know the bird is there, and if you are walking along minding your own business in a public park… Plus, everyone who comes out to see a bird (or is just walking along a public park path and gets sucked in when
 there’s a batch of folks standing around with binoculars) doesn’t know ALL the birds’ comfort zones OR all species’ signs of discomfort. We cannot assume that all folks who come out to see a bird have the same knowledge level or awareness of birds that we do…

   Then this woman assumes that Mr. Brashear is talking to her, and a whole new set of assumptions begins… 

   And then there’s Mr. Brashear again, stating that he feels stupid for showing the bird to anyone. 

   Wow.

   What type of actual or virtual birding community would we have if we never showed anyone a bird…? I’ll tell you what, if I had more time to be out in the world looking at birds and if I found an owl, and if there was anyone (not just a birder) walking by, I’d ‘crow’ it to them loud and clear (unless it was a duck, grouse, pheasant, or turkey during hunting season…!!)

   Too many assumptions here…

   Move on, folks, and please try to keep it kind. Say, were any of you Scouts at some period in your lives? The Boy Scout Law states: A Scout (you could read that any adult person…) is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent. 

   Think about it. And let us all know when you find the next greatest bird ever!

   Thanks for reading, and not assuming….

   Holly Peirson
   Columbus, Anoka Co.

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