Thank you, Haans.

Your words are right on, appropriate and wise for all birders everywhere.

I did read the ABA code of ethics at your suggestion, and you are correct in saying that they were not violated at the Black Rail location.

I did observe borderline actions to flush the bird so the many gathered could actually see the bird, not just hear it. I was a bit uncomfortable with those attempts, but after talking with Henry Troyer, it was clear he understood the situation, respected the bird, and knew this situation was extremely unusual. Never did he say anything about losing time to gather his hay, or even losing hay because people were trampling. Most of all he wanted people to see this rare bird, and I couldn't fault him for that.

Thanks, again.

Bruce
On Jun 15, 2014, at 2:34 PM, Haans Petruschke wrote:

> ​Hi
> 
> Whenever this subject comes up I am always amused at how situational the
> ethics become.
> 
> It always seems to be perfectly okay to chum for gulls or chase seabirds
> with a boat.  To attract hummingbirds, woodpeckers, ducks, and songbirds by
> feeding.  To call in owls at night, Sora or Virgini Rails in a marsh, or to
> use spishing as a means of getting birds out in the open... etcetera.
> 
> I often wonder why some birds become special?  Why a different set of
> ethics apply to a kind of bird or some particular individual?   I have also
> seen arguments about loving birds to death.
> 
> While death or injury does not happen from activities which merely attract
> birds, more active measures do cause rare birds to die, as happened to
> Ohio's only Calliope Hummingbird which was killed while attempting to be
> banded.
> 
> Birding does have a code of ethics.  It is published by the ABA.  It is
> worth reviewing. I neither saw, nor heard tell, of any behavior which
> violated that code by those going to see the Black Rail at the Troyer Farm.
> 
> On the other had I have seen pretty ugly behavior that results in a shy
> bird species leaving a location and thus depriving those who want to see
> the rarity of the opportunity. This is often because people become
> impatient and a mob mentality irrupts.  It does not hurt the bird, but
> those who come later miss seeing it.
> 
> It is best to keep in mind that birding is a sporting activity.  Only a
> fraction of those who participate are interested in conservation in
> general.  Most are in it for personal gratification.  By all means if you
> see behavior that crosses the line of the ABA code, have the courage to say
> something to the violator then and there.
> 
> But otherwise let's be consistent and realistic.  What is good or
> acceptable for the Goose is good for the Grosbeak, Rail, Flycatcher,Gull,
> Thrush, Owl, whatever.
> 
> Haans
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Sun, Jun 15, 2014 at 11:10 AM, Lyn Miller <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
>> Marie:
>> 
>> Well said, and I couldn't agree more. Maybe birders do need a motto.
>> 
>> Lyn Miller
>> Cleveland Hts.
>> 
>> 
>> On Sun, Jun 15, 2014 at 8:08 AM, marys1000 <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> 
>>> Wow,
>>> 
>>> So, If you don't agree with  "its getting to see the bird above all
>>> else" you are
>>> told you should consider leaving?  Absolutely not.
>>> Cynthia please don't leave this group or think that this is what
>>> everyone on here thinks.
>>> I can assure you,  I and others you will probably receive emails from
>>> privately, want you on this list
>>> and hope you feel free to voice your ideas about birds and bird watching
>>> freely.
>>> 
>>> The birding community (and farmers, and Amish, name your group) is just
>>> a mix of people, people of all types and attitudes.  All groups have
>> their
>>> share of saints and sinners and everything inbetween.  We all have
>>> different opinions about what loving birds comes down to.  Those
>>> opinions are all different and sometimes
>>> even different in words and action.  I've become increasingly aware over
>>> many years of bird watching that 'the birding community', whatever that
>> is,
>>> is not some homogeneous block of like minded people who put birds
>>> above all else.
>>> I haven't actually felt  like part of the "birding" community in some
>>> time and am not concerned about it either.
>>> My Dad taught me two things, 'watch what people do, not what they say'
>>> and 'only you can be responsible for and hold on to your integrity'.
>>> 
>>> In no way am I saying don't share, but you can share with some caution
>>> and limitations to ensure the bird isn't
>>> impacted by people any more than they already are.  And if sharing can't
>>> be done without impacting the bird there shouldn't be any guilt
>>> about not sharing.  Hikers have Leave no footprints, Physicians Do no
>>> harm.  Do birders need a motto?
>>> 
>>> What is wrong with setting up some viewing times?  Bringing people
>>> out in small groups?  Not using calls?  Why is it such a crises for
>>> people to not see the bird?
>>> You travel, you take your chances.  If you want a guarantee go to a zoo.
>>> It doesn't matter whether or not the bird is breeding, or is going to
>>> move on.  It has a right to migrate, eat, rest up in
>>> some peace.  Isn't it bad enough we've taken away so much of their
>>> habitat and put up so many obstacles
>>> to migration?  How about we not add insult to injury!?
>>> Who wouldn't feel better about the situation and themselves if they went
>>> hoping to see the bird but didn't
>>> because it was not being harassed?  And the elation that comes when
>>> patience and luck shows you the bird
>>> in its own time, living its life as it should be allowed to?
>>> 
>>> I feel like those boys doing the tours got a real bad example of how to
>>> treat birds.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Marie,  Fairborn
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 6/15/2014 12:02 AM, OHIO-BIRDS automatic digest system wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Date:    Sat, 14 Jun 2014 21:45:27 -0400
>>>> From:    Wes Hatch<[log in to unmask]>
>>>> Subject: Re: Fwd: [Ohio-birds] Some Thoughts On Rural Birding Rarities
>>>> 
>>>> Cynthia,=20
>>>> 
>>>> They either cut the entire patch or let the patch alone. Eventually the
>>>> bird=
>>>>  is going to migrate as they don't breed here. They might as well let
>> as
>>>> man=
>>>> y people either see or here this very secretive bird so they don't have
>>>> to d=
>>>> isrupt the others on there breeding grounds. These farmers are special
>> in
>>>> th=
>>>> at they are willing to share there rarities with the locals. This family
>>>> is h=
>>>> osting people from around the state and out of the state to see this
>>>> bird, j=
>>>> ust like their friends in the past have done for other rarities.
>>>> 
>>> If you don'= t believe in the sharing of birds you shouldn't be a part
>>> of this list serve= . Wes Hatch Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>> ______________________________________________________________________
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>> 
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