In the words of my Grandma's husband Bob, "Sassy pants!" Oh the joys of birding! After our warbler work on Mt. Lemmon, we put together a report for our fellow birders on the listserv. It's a place where birders can go to find out which rare or difficult birds are being seen around the state of Arizona. During the work, we found a Spotted Owl up on Mt. Lemmon. It's not the first time I've seen them there, but I don't report detailed info on any official site and keep the location "undisclosed". I ask my birder friends to do this if I'm with them while we're out in the field. Our specific reports are hidden from the public view. Here is a response we received from one of the birders responding to the listserv report. I shall name her "Sassy Pants".
"If you have birds where your location is "undisclosed", why bother reporting it to the listserv? Frankly, I think it's rude and bragging that you report birds that other people can't chase. So the next time we have a rare bird in our gated community I'll make sure to report it to the listserv as a "private residence". Both of us were shocked by Sassy Pants. This owl is threatened and as a policy, we do not give exact GPS coordinates on federally protected species!
There's a reason why we keep an owl's location a secret. There is a LOT of background info here that I have obtained from over the years of owl surveys, etc. So to be short here, many people cross the lines with these birds. Take for example, this Northern Saw-whet Owl below. I was invited to join this banding crew in my hometown while back in Wisconsin. But I was not allowed into the area where the owls were collected for banding. Reason? A past "volunteer" was secretly poaching the area and selling these birds in the illegal pet trade! Eventually, this individual was caught and taken into custody.
"What is going on???" |
So to "Sassy Pants", there are reasons we do not give exact gps coordinates for owls and why our reports are hidden. You should be happy that we mention in the report that these owls can be found in the general area. PLUS, if you're a birder, you're going to know that they are in the area. You don't even need us to tell you where one can find an owl. That's lazy Sassy!
"Dear Sassy,
If you want to "chase" a Spotted Owl, there are plenty of well known locations in Arizona to do so. It's incredibly "rude" of YOU to chastise someone for not reporting the specific location of a federally listed species, and you're the one "bragging" about keeping everyone out of your fancy private gate community.
There are thousands of members on the AZNM Listserv and probably fewer than 100 who actually post bird reports on it. Think about what you wrote--you're very upset towards someone you don't even know, who bothered to go out of their way to give YOU information about birds. If you are actively trying to discourage people like us, who actually do post bird reports, to stop doing so, you're doing a great job. Keep up the good work and pretty soon you will have no one posting on the Listserv." But that is a bit too sassy for me. However, I will remember this person's name and if she needs help, I'll be busy. Such vulgar behavior.
Yeah!! So there!!
ReplyDeleteWell said Chris. Love all the Owl images
ReplyDeleteYea, take that sassy pants
ReplyDeleteBravo!
ReplyDeleteSassy pants needs to get a life! Ha! I love your owl photos. Glad you are showing that they do exist while protecting their space.
ReplyDeleteGive her "spotted owl" coordinates to a Mountain Lion's den..
ReplyDeleteExcellent suggestion!:)
DeleteNow I won't get anything done today -- I'll keep breaking out into laughter every time this comment comes to mind.
DeleteBrilliant!!!
DeleteWell said Chris :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mia - Bravo!
ReplyDeleteI would totally ignore Sassy Pants Chris, she obviously has no idea. Meanwhile your shots of the owls are fabulouso.
ReplyDeleteThank you for showing us these beautiful owls, and for looking after their interests so caringly, Chris. Hopefully your comments will have enlightened Miss Sassy Pants, but if not, Tommy DeBardeleben's excellent suggestion (or a geographically feasible equivalent in my case - we don't have too many Mountain Lions round here!) is one that should, perhaps, be adopted as the benchmark for the future!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes - - - - Richard
Oh my the nerve of some people! - Anyway I just loved the owl photos.
ReplyDeleteOh Chris, the pictures are so beautiful, but some of the behaviour you reported made my heart hurt! What is wrong with some people.? Keep up the good work, I am sure there are more people who appreciate it than there are those like snotty pants.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots - I really like owls (but there again, who does not!) One of my target species for photographs this year is Powerful Owl - but so far I have not even seen one, let alone photographed one!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Jakarta (for a few more hours)
Well said Chris. A "true" birder will understand. BTW, one of our Rangers is working on GC & ebird. Will let you know when I know more. Condor release 8/26/15 but don't tell Sassy Pants.
ReplyDeleteThank you!! That sounds great. Do you mean to say September 26th?:)
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