As a volunteer for OBBA II, I have experienced all kinds of reactions,
including those suggested by Bill.   Of the farm owners contacted, I
received permission from about 10% to enter their land.  I even had one
farmer tell me he had checked me out to be sure I wasn't from PETA, of all
things.   However, without permission to enter private land, my volunteer
work could never have been completed.

On another note, some of you will remember the Eurasian wigeon that appeared
Feb. 28 at T J Evans Park here in Newark and stayed a week.  Well, because
of inappropriate behavior by NONbirders, that park has been closed to
everyone for the time being.  So it is not only private land that can be
"removed" from access by birders.  A sad commentary on our society, to be
sure.

Margaret Bowman
Newark (Licking Co.) OH


----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Whan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 4:39 PM
Subject: [Ohio-birds] Our quarry in the quarries


>        The bureaucratic responses exemplified in the two recent messages
> quoted in part below are not surprising, unfortunately. What business
> with a legal department would allow strangers on its property just to
> look at birds, with all the potential liabilities involved?
>        If asked, the folks who run airports, quarries, farms, etc. are
> likely--and let us admit, understandably--to ask why they should expose
> themselves to lawsuits from birders who might get hurt on their
> properties, or the possibility they might be terrorist scouts, or
> animal-rights activists investigating on behalf of a suit, economic
> rivals seeking advantages by spying, etc., etc. They don't see any
> advantage to be gained by welcoming birders, only disadvantages.
>        Most of these properties might allow negotiated presences of
> researchers, preferably sponsored by universities, etc., or even
> scheduled limited birding events involving good publicity for their
> firms, but they are not, even if implored, likely to welcome the birding
> public in a general way.
>        No doubt there are ways to look at birds on private property by
> viewing
> from other less unwelcoming properties--public or private-- nearby,
> especially if we behave ourselves scrupulously. But if owners of
> property assert their rights to exclude us, we must comply. If a really
> important rarity were to appear on private property, it's likely
> negotiations might allow a few people to be admitted to document it, but
> general admission might not be possible. Tough on the listers, but good
> for science.
>        To minimize the possibility of this happening, we need to be aware:
> keep our distance, use adjacent properties if possible, and behave
> ourselves in every way. In the words of one of the authors below, we
> need to avoid wearing out our welcome by pushing the limits.
>        Unfortunately, and to a certain degree understandably, just asking
> for
> permission from property owners can result in some paranoid reactions.
> If we ask we need to be diplomatic, explain the appeal of birds to the
> general public, extol the good behavior of birders, congratulate
> property owners for accommodating birds and observers, and obey all
> restrictions they may nevertheless impose. Still, we may not always be
> happy with the results. So it goes.
> Bill Whan
> Columbus
>
> --A friend just called me from the Prairie Lane quarry south of Wooster.
> There is a sign that says something to the effect of "No Birders
> Allowed." An employee said that too many people were there over the
> weekend and walked where they shouldn't have walked.  Looks like the
> welcome has been worn out.
>
>
> ----The folks who run Melvin are friendly to birders but want them to
> check in at the office and sign a statement with a lot of rules not
> pertinent to our mission but required by the government. They want us to
> check in each time we visit and to stay on or near the parking lot. It
> is a small price for granting us the right to bird on their commercial
> property. The office is not open on weekends though we have birded there
> without trouble.
>
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