Saturday 26 May 2012
Twitchers out of line again sadly!
The Baillon's Crake on Malltraeth Marsh RSPB reserve has attracted a lot of interest as any mega rare bird would. The majority of birders/twitchers have behaved well on site and been content with hearing the bird from an area opened up by the RSPB especially for visitiors keen to the hear the bird.
The derelict buildings on the site are strictly out of bounds to all but sad to report at least four twitchers have climbed the dangerous building and not only that have used tape lures to see the bird while those who followed RSPB advice heard it but did not see the bird. What gives these idiots the right to ignore advice of the landowners and trespass? This behaviour will surely result in future rare birds being suppressed at this site, and likely other RSPB reserves. Thanks very much you inconsiderate idiots!
If information is correct the situation is made worse by these same people being involved in national bird information services, they are paid staff, and these same services say "bird is impossible to see" which of course is correct if you respect on site directions from the RSPB landowner!
And people complain about suppression? No wonder with people like this in the birding community! If you see people out of line, not just here, but at any twitch please speak up and try and stop this minority from yet again tarring birding/twitching with a bad name.
Alan and Ruth
www.thebiggesttwitch.com
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Sad to hear this. It seems like this is a problem everywhere. In 2009 we had two Snowy Owls at the same location here in New Jersey, USA. The birds could be scoped from a public area, but some intent on capturing a close photo entered prohibited areas. Eventually even the public area was closed to the public and remains so. The bottom line is an issue of self-control vs. selfishness. Thanks for the post, hopefully it will encourage others to mind their manners.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree A+R. Local birders know the difficulties of the site and thankfully this time access was aranged for all. Advice was put out to come and expect a 'hear only' and not to climb the building. I've heard the same of those visitors and that tape luring being used. The bird calls, there is no need to tape lure! The building is out of bounds so don't climb it- easy enough. I'd quite understand for the RSPB to close the gate once again thanks to the over-eager wizzkids.
ReplyDeleteNot too late for offending individuals to try and repair the damage. Having traveled to the site on the first evening to hear the bird, I was really pleased to see the incredibly supportive attitude of senior RSPB staff. All those on site listened patiently and were satisfied with resulting sonographs captured by some of those present. Anglesey has accounted for some really good birds over the past 20 years, a number of which have in some way been associated with RSPB land. It would be highly detrimental to UK birders and North Wales birders in particular if relationships with RSPB staff on the island were adversely affected. Some form of apology may go some way to help repair any damage. Let's hope so.
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