[CT Birds] Owls and moderator rules

[Peregrine Information Consultants]

There is an intermediate solution. Birders who find owls (or other sensitive birds) could post the sighting by TOWN ONLY. List members who want to see the bird and who are willing to invest a few minutes in correspondence could email the reporter/poster OFF-LIST and the reporder/poster can reply OFF-LIST with specific information as to location, etc. This would make the information available to those who are really bent on seeking out these birds, yet would keep the information off the open web.

Some lists do not allow posting that reveal the location of roosting owls or other fragile or sensitive birds. I believe MASSBIRD has such a policy. I also notice that some posters will report a sighting but will not reveal the exact location, and I've never seen a complain about that process. 

I am never in favor of pursuing birds just to check them off or even make a life list. I'm much happier knowing that they are out there on their own doing just fine without me. I'm disappointed when I think of all the fuel that birders use up, and the pollution they create, traveling all over creation to spot and list birds. Are we helping them, and other living creatures, by doing so? Advances in technology (email, cellphone, GPS) enable birders to learn about the presence and location of interesting birds more quickly than ever before, and of course this prompts more car travel to get to those known locations. Is this a good thing?

Sarah

Sarah Hager Johnston, BMus, MLS
860-676-2228
http://quodlibet-sarah.blogspot.com/

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