[Birdtalk] SNPL Update -- a concern

[ConnieM]

I am concerned about something here.   During the time when the Ruff was
around, I went out to see it -- and found it and really enjoyed watching it.
 However, my viewing pleasure - as well as others -- was disturbed by a
family that came out to see the GSL, having no idea in the world about the
birds we were all trying to observe.  The were making really loud, obnoxious
noises, running up & down the beach, etc.  Now that's all fine and well as
kids need to have that kind of experience and I'm not criticizing them for
doing so.  My concern is this -- they flushed the Ruff and all the other
birds when I  was enjoying my view of it even though this family was a good
1/2 to 1 mile away.  Now to flush a bird you're watching is one thing, but
to disturb young babies is quite another.  This is the holiday weekend that
kicks off the summer season and there will be millions of people going out
there to see nature.  I would be very sorry to hear that someone disturbed
the nest while walking where they shouldn't, innocent though they may be.
 Is there anything that can be done to help people understand - or help them
teach their children - not to disturb these birds?  How would YOU handle a
family with young children that was walking near a nest?
Am I being too much of a worry wort?

ConnieM


On Sat, May 23, 2009 at 7:35 AM, John CAVITT <jcavitt at weber.edu> wrote:

> For those attending the Snowy Plover trips at the GSL Bird Festival, I
> wanted to give you an update on the nesting birds we observed.  Two of the
> SNPL nests along the Antelope Island Causeway have hatched and both males
> are busy brooding the chicks (each has 3 young).  Hatching occurred on Wed.
>  One set of young are banded.  They are staying pretty close to the causeway
> so you can observe them with a spotting scope (they were still there as of
> 6am Sat).  The area with the highest SNPL density is 1.2 mi west of the
> gatehouse on the south side of the causeway.  I would suggest not venturing
> off the causeway as they are pretty vulnerable now and we don't want to
> disturb those still incubating eggs.
>
> There are also color banded birds in the area so if you happen to see one
> we would appreciate the color combinations, sex, date, and time of
> observation.
>
> Also the Burrowing Owls are back along the south side of the causeway at
> mile marker 6.
>
> Cheers
> JFC
>
>
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>



-- 
Connie McManus
Nibley, Cache County, Utah
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